Abstract: Absence of maxillary central incisor is often accompanied by the absorption of labial bone wall, resulting in the reduction of the width of labial-palatal alveolar ridge. Considering the aesthetic restoration of anterior teeth, implants are usually more palatally inclined. The nasopalatine canal (NPC) is anatomically adjacent to the implant site of the maxillary central incisor, which leads to the possibility of implants entering into NPC during operation. The implants that enter into NPC may result in palatal paresthesia, non-osseointegration, and implants loss. NPC perforation, as one of the complications of maxillary central incisor implantation, not only reduces the success rate of implantation, but also causes negative emotions in patients. Therefore, this paper reviews the incidence, influencing factors of NPC perforation, clinical diagnosis, preventive measures and clinical treatment of NPC perforation in maxillary aesthetic area, in order to provide theoretical reference for avoiding NPC perforation.

Key words: nasopalatine canal, implant, perforation, maxillary central incisor