Soft tissue phenotype modification impacts on peri-implant stability: a comparative cohort study.

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Periodontology
• Oral Surgery

Background:

• Maintaining peri-implant soft tissue health is crucial for long-term dental implant success.
• Soft tissue phenotype modification (STPM) is a surgical approach to enhance the peri-implant soft tissue profile.
• STPM during implant uncovering surgery aims to optimize the tissue around the implant abutment interface.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate tissue alterations around dental implants following STPM during implant uncovering surgery.
• To compare the outcomes of pouch roll and modified roll techniques for STPM.
• To identify factors influencing peri-implant tissue changes after STPM.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study included patients with STPM during second-stage surgery and a minimum 12-month follow-up.
• Clinical and radiographic parameters such as mucosal tissue thickness (MTT), recession (REC), keratinized mucosa width (KMW), probing pocket depth (PPD), and marginal bone loss (MBL) were assessed.
• Data were collected at 2 weeks, 2 months, and 12 months post-surgery.

Main Results:

• Twenty-eight patients (33 implants) were analyzed. REC showed a negative correlation with MTT at the mid-buccal site (p=0.018).
• Stable KMW was maintained with minimal shrinkage (3-14%). MBL change was limited (0.24-0.47 mm).
• The pouch roll technique resulted in a wider mesial emergence angle (6.96 degrees) compared to the modified roll technique (p=0.024).

Conclusions:

• Both pouch roll and modified roll techniques for STPM during uncovering surgery lead to favorable peri-implant outcomes.
• Thin mucosal tissue thickness and the pouch roll technique were associated with increased recession at 2 weeks.
• The pouch roll technique's impact on the emergence angle may influence restorative design considerations.