Soft-Tissue Augmentation in Periodontally Compromised Patients during Immediate Placement and Immediate Loading...

The purpose of this article is to describe a soft-tissue augmentation procedure for multiple tooth extraction sites during immediate placement and immediate loading (IPIL) dental implant surgery in periodontally compromised patients and to present follow-up results of its effectiveness.

A retrospective study was conducted on data from patients who underwent IPIL dental implant surgery between 2018 and 2021 at an oral implant centre in Bulgaria. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, 103 patients were included, 53 of whom had pre-operative indications for connective tissue grafts (CTGs) and 50 of whom did not. The post-operative incidence of gum recession was evaluated in the two patient groups.

The majority of the 53 patients (56.60%) had six, seven or eight tooth sites grafted. A significant proportion (87%) needed CTGs at the canine teeth (13 and 23), P < 0.001. The post-operative data showed a low incidence of gum recessions in both the patient groups, with a lower rate in the CTG group at tooth no: 13 (2.20% vs. 18%, P = 0.016) and in the total sum of 10 tooth sites with CTGs (P = 0.001). A reduction in gum problems and increased satisfaction with gum health and aesthetics were reported by 100% of the CTG patients.

Soft-tissue augmentation at multiple tooth extraction sites during IPIL dental implant treatment may benefit periodontally compromised patients through an improved prosthesis-tissue interface in the aesthetic area and a reduction in gum infections, swelling, bleeding and pain.