Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2025
Real-Time Dynamic Navigation System for the Precise Quad-Zygomatic Implant Placement in a Patient with a Severely Atrophic Maxilla
Published on: October 18, 2021
[Facial soft tissue changes after full-arch implant-supported fixed prostheses restoration in patients with
Yun Zhang1, Xing-Ru Tao, Feng Wang
1Department of Second Dental Center, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University; National Center for Stomatology; National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology; Research Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Shanghai 201999, China.
Purpose:
To investigate the changes of nasolabial soft tissues before and after full-arch implant supported fixed restoration in maxillary edentulous patients and the influencing factors of the changes.
Methods:
Fifty patients who underwent full-arch implant fixed restoration in the Department of Second Dental Center of Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital from January 2016 to July 2023 were selected. Patient's medical history, CBCT, and three-dimensional facial scan data were collected before and after restoration. Paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used to compare the changes in soft tissues before and after restoration. The correlation between changes and patient's basic information, implant protocol and residual bone parameters were analyzed using bivariate correlation analysis. Akaike information criterion was used to select the multivariate linear regression model of each soft tissue index change.
Results:
After implant fixed restoration, the upper lip height (sn-sto), the upper vermillion height (ls-sto), and the upper vermilion area (UVA) significantly increased (P＜0.01), while the distance from ls to the E-line (ls-E) significantly decreased (P＜0.01), the nasolabial angle (∠cm-sn-ls) significantly decreased (P＜0.01), and the cutaneous upper lip height(sn-ls) did not change significantly(P＞0.05). Except for sn-sto and sn-ls, the remaining soft tissue changes were positively correlated with age (P＜0.01). Other residual bone parameters, implant protocol, and gender were not significantly related to each soft tissue change. Multivariate stepwise regression analysis showed that each soft tissue change was broadly related to age and preoperative soft tissue condition, and partially related to bone morphology.
Conclusions:
The nasolabial soft tissues of maxillary edentulous patients change significantly after implant fixed restoration, mainly the expansion and protrusion of the red part of the lip. The changes in facial soft tissues are primarily related to the patient's age and pre-existing soft tissue condition, with older patients and those with more atrophic original soft tissue morphology observing more apparent improvements in fullness. The change in lip prominence is also related to the residual bone shape.
