Making the Right Call: Implants or FPDs? Rethinking Anterior Maxillary Restorations

Jessica Vu, DDS Candidate, Marco Bergamini, DDS, MSD

Comprehensive Dentistry, Texas A&M University College of Dentistry

Introduction and Background

The anterior maxilla poses unique challenges for

prosthetic rehabilitation due to its high esthetic demands

and anatomical complexity. While implants are

oftentimes considered the gold standard for replacing

missing teeth, they are not universally the best solution.

This poster aims to propose a clinical decision-making

framework comparing dental implants and fixed partial

dentures (FPDs) for rehabilitation of existing edentulous

anterior maxillary sites, focusing on four critical factors:

patient selection, space requirements, esthetic

parameters, and long-term prognosis.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted

across multiple electronic databases (PubMed,

Cochrane and Scopus) to support evidence-based

decision-making. Findings were synthesized into a

clinical decision tree.

Factors to Consider

Patient Related Factors

Space Requirements

Functional Requirements

Esthetic Requirements

Long Term Prognosis and Complications

FPD Implant

Decision Tree: Which is More Favorable? 

Esthetic and Biologic Modifying Factors

Pink Esthetic Score

Age Considerations

Survival Rates of Restorations

Papilla Fill

Similar Case

Different Approach - Different Outcome

Conclusion

This analysis proposes a structured decision

tree to guide clinicians in choosing between

implants and FPDs in anterior maxillary

edentulous cases, thereby ensuring predictable,

long-term, and truly patient-centered treatment

outcomes.

References