Long-term outcome of implants exhibiting buccal soft tissue dehiscence in the esthetic zone

OBJECTIVE

Increasing aesthetic demands require that the color and contour of the peri-implant soft tissues be in harmony with the neighboring teeth. Recession, migration toward the apical, is a frequent clinical finding. Its presence can lead to inflammation and increased marginal bone loss. These complications, in addition to affecting the aesthetic results of our treatment, are difficult to treat and can threaten the survival of the implant. There are fewer studies showing the outcome of treatment of soft-tissue defects around implants. The aim of this article is to describe the treatment of a soft-tissue defect around an implant-supported prosthesis treatment, performed on two neighboring implants, in the esthetic zone in a patient with a high smile and to evaluate both the coverage achieved and the patient's esthetic satisfaction.

CLINICAL CONSIDERATIONS

This study showed that a mucogingival approach, using a surgical technique designed for the treatment of alveolar ridge defects, together with tissue management with temporaries and a new restoration, achieved an optimal result.

CONCLUSIONS

The case has been closely followed up, for 10 years, and the authors have been able to confirm the long-term stability of the result.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The following paper shows the result of an innovative approach. Connective tissue platform technique, usually performed for soft-tissue augmentation, was used for a defect in soft-tissue dehiscence. The authors followed the results for 10 years, and the results achieved were satisfactory in terms of esthetic.