Polylactic acid (PLA) root replica in ridge maintenance after loss of a vertically fractured incisor.

A periodontally affected tooth was prepared for a special treatment: Calcium hydroxide was introduced into the apical half of the root canal whereas its cervical part was filled with glass ionomer cement. The tooth was shortened subgingivally. After 6 weeks of epithelization over the residual root a palatal full-thickness flap was mobilized. The root was carefully extracted and chairside copy-milled from the biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) material. The PLA-replica was implanted immediately into the socket and the flap was sutured. Aim of the treatment was to prevent the ridge collapse of the extraction area. Ridge height could be preserved during the 21 months of observation. With time the radiographic density of the cancellous bone increased in the implanted area, indicating that a PLA-replica is replaced by host's bone tissue.