Biologic height-width ratio of the buccal supra-implant mucosa

Recently, esthetic implant dentistry has focused on changes in buccal implant mucosal height. The purpose of this article was to investigate the relationship between the height and width of buccal supra-implant mucosa based on the physiologic mucosal form surrounding the implant. Fourteen patients who had buccal supra-implant mucosal heights of more than 1.5 mm and keratinized mucosa 1 year or more after superstructure placement (average period: 3 years 5 months) were studied. Silicone impressions were taken immediately after superstructures and abutments were removed. The study model used for the measurement process was manufactured using improved dental stone. The height and width of the buccal supra-implant mucosa were measured using digital slide calipers, and the ratio of the height and width was investigated. In all cases, the widths were greater than the heights. The average height of the buccal supra-implant mucosa was 2.17 mm, while the average width was 3.44 mm. The average biologic height-width ratio was 1:1.58. The width was larger in the posterior region than in the anterior. There were no differences in the biologic height-width ratio in terms of the diameter of the implant. These findings indicate that peri-implant soft tissue augmentation procedures resulting in an average biologic height-width ratio of 1:1.5 may provide a stable buccal cervical line around the implant superstructure, even for thin periodontal biotypes.