Maxillary lateral incisor agenesis open space vs space closure: A review

The ideal orthodontic treatment for maxillary lateral incisor agenesis remains a controversial topic after more than five decades of debate in both academic and clinical settings. The central issue of this lack of consensus is the decision between opening space for prosthetic replacement of the missing teeth or orthodontic closure of the spaces. The indications for both opening and close the space were supported primarily by the patients' oral characteristics, specialist experience, the financial possibilities. However, when laypersons and dentists rated the attractiveness of the smiles of patients treated with canine recon touring or implant-supported prosthesis compared to untreated control groups, no significant differences were found in either group.