[How to treat hypoplasia of the lateral upper incisors by canine substitution : a clinical case].

INTRODUCTION

Facing a patient with a morphological or numerical disorder of the lateral upper incisors (mainly pegged or missing incisor), the orthodontist has to choose between two treatment options : either spatial planning for a prosthetic restoration, or space closure with substitution of the lateral incisors by canines; the choice depends on the clinical context we are faced with. Each treatment option has its advantages and disadvantages and it is hard to tip the balance in one direction or another.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: This article illustrates the rationale for therapeutic management of space closure, in a patient with skeletal class III, with hypoplastic and peg-shaped upper lateral incisors.