Soft tissue contour changes at implant sites with or without soft tissue grafting in the esthetic zone: A retrospective case–control study with a 12‐year follow‐up

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the volumetric changes and peri‐implant health at implant sites with and without previous soft tissue grafting over a 12‐year observation period.Materials and MethodsEighteen patients received dental implants and simultaneously guided bone regeneration in the esthetic zone (15–25) for dental rehabilitation. Three months following implant placement, 8 patients (test) received an additional subepithelial connective tissue graft, whereas 10 patients (control) did not receive any additional treatment. One week after prothesis delivery and at the 5 and 12 years follow‐up examination, impressions were taken. Obtained casts were processed for profilometric and linear analyses. The mean distance (MD) in the mid‐buccal area between the two surfaces was considered the primary outcome. Peri‐implant health was assessed based on clinical and radiographic data.ResultsNine female and 7 male patients were re‐assessed after a median follow‐up time of 144.5 months (Min: 114.8; Max: 213.0). The median reduction of MD amounted to −0.81 mm (Min: −1.39; Max: 0.52) in the test group and −0.56 mm (Min: −0.93; Max: 0.11) in the control group, (intergroup comparison p = .607, CI 95%: −0.760/0.530). None of the implants was diagnosed with peri‐implantitis. Six tests and two control implants were diagnosed with peri‐implant mucositis (p = .103).ConclusionsDespite the limited number of included patients, similar results in terms of volumetric, linear changes, and peri‐implant conditions could be detected at implant sites with or without soft tissue grafting over a period of 12 years.