Space closure vs Space Opening through Orthodontic Treatment for Dental Agenesis
Join Dr Raj Gaddam at the first Southern Tasmanian Study Group Meeting on Wednesday 25 March, 2026 at RACV Hobart. Dinner and refreshments are included with your registration.
Topic Overview
In the past 15 years, we have seen an advent of dental implants, which has galvanised the prosthetic replacement of congenitally missing teeth. However, the traditional space closure through orthodontic treatment is still employed by Orthodontists for selective cases. Multiple factors including the age, growth status, medical condition, smile aesthetics, duration and complexity of treatment and financial aspects will dictate the choice for above mentioned options. This discussion is aimed at providing an evidence-based approach to discuss the merits and demerits of two different space management approaches. Such discussion shall aid in understanding a multi-disciplinary approach between general dental practitioners and specialist orthodontists in successful management of the patients with Dental Agenesis.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the Prevalence and Aetiology of Dental Agenesis, with a special emphasis on our community
- Determining the need for dental management of Dental Agenesis
- Understanding multiple dental management options listed below in relation to their merits and demerits
- Orthodontic Canine substitution: Rationale, technique including TAD based anchorage, advantages, disadvantages
- Prosthetic dental management: Multiple prosthetic options (implant prosthesis, resin bonded bridge, conventional dental bridge (cantilever, 3-unit) denture prosthesis) will be discussed in relation to their rationale, advantages, disadvantages
- Auxiliary orthodontic treatment to help prosthetic dental management: Rationale, advantages, disadvantages
- Understanding of the steps involved in a multidisciplinary approach for Dental Agenesis
- Perception of final treatment outcome utilising two different dental management strategies through subjective assessment studies
- Critical evaluation of current available evidence to understand for durability of final treatment outcome resulting from two different approaches in managing Dental Agensis
- Digital demonstration– live canine substitution on 3D records of selected patients utilising SureSmile TM technology platform to visualise the final aesthetic outcome through canine substitution
