360 degrees peri-implant, keratinised, soft-tissue grafting with stereolithographic-aided dressing plate

Surgical procedures to improve the quality of peri-implant soft tissue are a routine part of dental implant practice, especially in the edentulous patient with a significant lack of attached keratinised tissue. The use of a dressing plate at the recipient site can be beneficial in supporting free, keratinised, soft-tissue grafts during the early healing phase, especially if grafting is undertaken around all aspects of the implant and not just to the facial section. This paper outlines the use of a dressing plate, constructed on a stereolithographic model, for use at second-stage implant surgery to allow for 360 degrees peri-implant, keratinised, soft-tissue grafting.