Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Quantitative Assessment Protocol for Facial Soft Tissue Volumetric Changes with Stereophotogrammetry
Published on: December 9, 2025
Dimensional changes of peri-implant soft tissue over 2 years with single-implant crowns in the anterior maxilla
German O Gallucci1, Linda Grütter, Sung-Kiang Chuang
1Department of Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials Sciences, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA. german_gallucci@hsdm.harvard.edu
Objective:
To compare the peri-implant soft tissue dimensions after insertion of single-implant crowns in the anterior maxilla.
Materials And Methods:
Twenty patients were accepted according to well-defined inclusion criteria and randomized to porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) or all-ceramic groups. Follow-up was at: Baseline (B), Crown Insertion (CI), 1-year (1Y), and 2-year (2Y). The following parameters were statistically analysed: distance implant shoulder to marginal peri-implant mucosa (DIM), papilla height (PH), width of keratinized mucosa (KM), crestal bone level (CBL), full mouth plaque score (FMPS), full mouth bleeding score (FMBS), and probing pocket depth.
Results:
Between groups measurements for DIM, PH, KM, CBL, FMPS, and FMBS showed no statistically significant differences except the distal CBLs to adjacent tooth. DIM (mid-facial) decreased from B to CI remaining stable at 1Y and 2Y (p-value 0.0014). DIM mesial and distal aspects significantly increased from B to CI showing signs of stability at the 2Y. PH between B and CI increased at the mesial site and at the distal site, thereafter, peri-implant soft tissues were stable at the 2Y.
Conclusion:
The insertion of an implant crown affects the peri-implant mucosa morphology by an apical displacement at the mid-facial aspect and coronal at mesial and distal sites.
