Aesthetic rehabilitation of the anterior segment due to early childhood caries

Abstract

Introduction: Primary dentition plays essential roles, including mastication, speech, space maintenance for permanent teeth and guidance during eruption; as well as contributing to craniofacial development and orofacial aesthetics of the patient. Its early loss occurs mainly for two reasons: early childhood caries, with a global prevalence of 23.8% in children under 6 years old and 57.3% in children aged between 36 and 71 months, and trauma, especially in the anterior segment. In cases of premature loss in the anterior region, rehabilitation is possible using functional and aesthetic space maintainers, commonly fixed. Case report: A 5.9-year-old male patient presented to the Comprehensive Medical Care Center at Centro Universitario de los Altos, University of Guadalajara. Intraoral and radiographic examination revealed absence of upper central and right lateral dental organs, and presence of a root remnant of the left lateral due to carious lesions, for which the treatment plan consists of extraction of the root remnant and a fixed aesthetic space maintainer. Clinical relevance:The loss of primary teeth due to early childhood caries may induce relevant aesthetic, functional, and occlusal imbalances. Conclusions: It is essential to restore both function and aesthetics of the anterior segment in cases of premature loss, with aesthetic space maintainers representing a viable option. Monitoring and habit modification are crucial for the patient's overall health.