Use Of Mini Implants to Replace Missing Teeth in a Growing Patient: A Six-Year Follow Up Case Report.
European Journal of Pediatric Dentistry, 2015. In Press (ISI)
J Jofré, A Werner

ABSTRACT
Loss of anterior permanent teeth can have a detrimental effect on children’s quality of life and the therapeutic approaches are always a challenge. From a physiologic and psychological standpoint, the use of dental implants have several advantages replacing missing teeth. However, several studies have shown that conventional implants are not indicated in patients that are still growing, since they interfere with the sagittal and transversal growth of the maxilla.

Recent literature has suggested that Mini Dental Implants (MDIs) can be successfully applied in growing patients, without interfering with the normal craniofacial growth process.
This report describes the replacement of missing teeth in a 10-year-old patient by a mini-implant of 1.8 mm diameter. After a six-year follow-up period, the mini-implant did not follow the regular growth process of the maxilla, resulting in functional and esthetic complications. The mini-implant removal was not extent of difficulties.

This case report leads to confirm the potential risks involved in placing implants in patients that are still growing, even when using mini dental implants.