Correcting Mucogingival Deformities at the Time of Extraction for a Future Implant Site: A Case Report

Existing soft tissue deformities around a tooth planned for extraction and replacement with a dental implant may jeopardize the esthetic and physiologic outcome of any dental implant treatment. If soft tissue deformities can be prevented, minimized, or corrected at the time of tooth extraction for the future implant site and the adjacent teeth, more predictable outcomes with superior esthetics and health can be accomplished along with fewer surgical visits.

This case report describes a patient who presented with mucogingival deformities around a tooth scheduled for extraction and subsequent implant placement. The adjacent tooth also presented with similar characteristics. Surgical modifications and refinements were used by performing an epithelialized free gingival graft (E-FGG) at the time of tooth extraction to enhance the tissue quality of the future implant site and its neighboring tooth.

The identification of inadequate attached gingiva in the area of future implant placement and neighboring teeth in the treatment planning phase can enable clinicians to address any mucogingival deformities with E-FGGs at the time of extraction without subjecting the patient to any additional surgical visits and healing time.