Journal of Japanese Society of Oral Implantology
Online ISSN : 2187-9117
Print ISSN : 0914-6695
ISSN-L : 0914-6695
Case Reports
12-Year Follow-up of Implant Treatment in the Esthetic Zone Using Horizontal Tooth Movement
Yoshiyuki WADAKaori WADAMarina YOSHIMURAKen HASEGAWATakeru MORISHITADaisuke MAEDAKiyotaka HORIYusuke MATSUZAWAKazufumi YAMAGUCHITakeshi KANBAYASHIItaru MIKAMIHarunor YOSHIMURA
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2025 Volume 38 Issue 2 Pages 145-155

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Abstract

In the esthetic zone following tooth extraction, hard and soft tissue resorption often occurs, making surgical tissue augmentation necessary during implant treatment. This introduces risks associated with surgical invasiveness, complications, and long-term stability. Zachrisson (2003) reported that when a tooth is orthodontically moved into an edentulous area, the periodontal tissues move along with it, creating a space suitable for implant placement. We applied horizontal tooth movement in the esthetic zone for implant treatment, achieving favorable long-term results. The patient was a 40-year-old female who was diagnosed with a root fracture of tooth 21, which required extraction. Significant bone and soft tissue defects were anticipated after the extraction. The patient declined surgical hard and soft tissue augmentation and the use of biomaterials. Therefore, we planned to move tooth 22 into the space of tooth 21 and place an implant at site 22. After the extraction of tooth 21, tooth 22 was orthodontically moved mesially, resulting in the formation of a wide alveolar ridge, keratinized mucosa, and sufficient bone width and height, allowing for implant placement without the need for surgical bone augmentation. Teeth 11 and 21 (formerly tooth 22) were restored with laminate veneers, avoiding tooth structure removal, while a ceramic crown was placed on the implant. Twelve years later, CT imaging revealed that more than 2 mm of bone was maintained on the labial side of the implant. Although root resorption was observed in the moved tooth, healthy periodontal tissues were maintained. Both objective and subjective esthetic evaluations showed favorable outcomes, suggesting that horizontal tooth movement is a minimally invasive and predictable long-term approach for tissue augmentation in implant treatments in the esthetic zone.

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© 2025 Japanese Society of Oral Implantology
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