To Open or To Close Spaces in the Interdisciplinary Patient?

Treating patients with missing teeth due to agenesis or transpositions, tooth malformation, impacted teeth, and dental trauma requires a skilled interdisciplinary team to achieve optimum results. A comprehensive diagnosis coupled with an individual treatment plan and custom-made mechanics is mandatory to tackle these challenging scenarios in the best interest of the affected patient. The interdisciplinary challenge is to select 1. the most appropriate orthodontic strategy, possibly without extremely sophisticated mechanics, 2. to keep treatment time within acceptable limits for not risking iatrogenic damages, e.g. major root resorptions and 3. to limit prosthodontic treatment to minimally invasive procedures, especially in the sensitive so-called aesthetic zone. Implementing digital technology during treatment planning and execution can facilitate the interdisciplinary approach and optimize patient-centered care. A multitude of interesting patients will be presented to illustrate efficient management of demanding clinical scenarios with missing teeth.