Songpa Implant Dentistry: A Case of Immediate Temporary Restoration for a Front Tooth Implant

Hello.

Songpa Implant Dentistry, 연세다감치과

I am Dr. Seo Ho-yeon.

When we smile, several teeth are naturally visible, mainly the upper front teeth.

Songpa Implant Dentistry, 연세다감치과

Therefore, even if just one of these teeth is missing, the empty space can be quite noticeable.

For this reason, when people are told that a front tooth needs to be extracted, many worry about how they will manage during the treatment period.

However, when the conditions are suitable, one option is to place an implant after extraction and connect a temporary tooth from the early stage of treatment.

In such cases, we need to check whether the implant can be firmly fixed in the bone, how much inflammation is present in the surrounding area, and whether the bite can be adjusted so that excessive chewing force is not transferred to the temporary tooth.

(January 26, 2026)

Looking at this patient's X-ray, a tooth that had previously undergone root canal treatment had a restoration, but a dark area could be seen around the gums.

A long time had passed since the root canal treatment, and the tooth structure had weakened. The condition of both the restoration and the tooth root was also poor.

This area could be seen more clearly in the oral photographs.

The gums around the tooth appeared redder than in other areas, and there were also signs suggestive of inflammation.

Although a restoration may remain on the outside, making it appear that the tooth is being maintained, the actual condition may be difficult to maintain over the long term.

We also determined that it would be difficult to preserve this patient's tooth, so we planned an implant after extraction.

To shorten the period during which the front tooth would appear to be missing, we also checked whether a temporary tooth could be connected after implant placement.

One reason for considering a temporary tooth from the early stage of treatment when placing a front tooth implant is that the gums may gradually collapse over time after the tooth is removed.

The front teeth are especially visible along the gum line.

Therefore, if the gums recede significantly, the tooth may look long when the final restoration is later placed, or that area may stand out when smiling.

Connecting a temporary tooth can help maintain the shape of the gums around the front tooth to some extent.

However, this temporary tooth is not the final restoration. It should be understood as an intermediate step used to reduce aesthetic inconvenience during treatment and to observe and adjust the gum shape.

Of course, this patient did not receive treatment only on the front tooth.

They also wanted treatment for a molar area where a tooth had been missing for some time, so an implant was placed in the lower-left molar area as well.

The photograph also shows the implant placed in the molar area.

When we removed the temporary tooth to examine the area, the gums were healing well.

The implant was also being maintained without any notable abnormal findings on the radiograph, so we monitored the progress before moving on to the final restoration stage.

There was one aspect of this case that I personally found somewhat regrettable.

There had been inflammation in the area before surgery, and the gums appeared closer to a purplish color than a healthy light pink.

Some gum recession had also progressed, and areas with long-standing inflammation may have poor gum thickness or texture.

In such cases, gum grafting—in other words, CTG—may also be considered.

Songpa Implant Dentistry, 연세다감치과

Reinforcing the gum thickness can help improve the gum volume and shape around a front tooth implant.

However, because CTG involves taking some gum tissue from the palate and transferring it, the treatment may feel burdensome to the patient.

Because the patient's own tissue is used, the concern about immune rejection is relatively low.

Nevertheless, since an additional surgery is required, the patient needs a sufficient explanation and must provide consent.

This patient also felt concerned about gum grafting, so we did not proceed with that treatment.

As a result, there was some room for improvement in terms of gum volume, but the patient was satisfied with the treatment outcome and said they were pleased not to have had a period without a front tooth.

The treatment outcome is important, but we cannot force a treatment that the patient does not want.

Therefore, in this case, we worked within the existing conditions to maintain the gum line as much as possible and connected a temporary tooth so that there would be no period during which the front tooth appeared to be missing.

The immediate temporary restoration for a front tooth implant discussed today is one option that may be considered for people who have hesitated over treatment because of concerns about a visible gap where the front tooth is missing.

However, to connect a temporary tooth from the early stage of treatment, the implant must be sufficiently fixed in the bone, and the bite must be adjustable so that excessive chewing force is not transferred to the temporary tooth.

The condition of the surrounding gums and bone must also be checked.

If a temporary tooth is connected forcefully when the conditions are not suitable, it may instead place stress on the implant as it settles into position.

Songpa Implant Dentistry, 연세다감치과

When planning a front tooth implant, we consider how to reduce the patient's discomfort during the treatment period, how to maintain the shape of the gums, and how to ensure that the final restoration will blend naturally with the surrounding teeth.

If you saw this case and felt that you had similar concerns, we hope you will first check whether your oral condition meets the requirements for this type of treatment.

Have a happy day today as well. ^^

Thank you.

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Songpa Implant Dentistry, 연세다감치과