Two reasons have led us to assess the latest treatment options regarding prosthetic therapies in cases of space opening; firstly, the possibility today of earlier detection of agenesis of the maxillary lateral incisors; and, secondly, the current aesthetic complaints of older patients who have gone untreated. A comparative analysis between bonded bridges and single tooth implant restorations has been performed.

This article points out that, apart from the usual analysis of the clinical criteria which is necessary when deciding on prosthetic work, it is also useful to take into account the age and motivation of the patient with regards to the length and difficulty of the treatment in question. Implantation should not be systematically preferred in every case and a fixed prosthesis would often seem to offer the most advisable solution.