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Published on: July 1, 2013
The Triple Layer Graft Protocol to Repair Esthetically Compromised Implants: Rationale, Technique, Indications, and
Dennis P Tarnow1, Stephanie M Chu2, Stephen J Chu3
1Implant Education, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Private Practice, New York, New York, USA.
Objectives:
These two clinical case reports show the use of the Triple Layer Graft procedure along with the Decoronation procedure to help restore normal contour and height of tissue The procedure was highly effective at restoring the esthetics that the patients needed on their implants. Short and long term results along with the step by step technique are shown.
Clinical Considerations:
Two patients of 33 and 25 years of age both had significant reduction in the height over their implants in the #7 and #10 locations. The first patient had the implants placed 15 years ago and the second patient had them done 5 years before our treatment. Current techniques to remedy esthetic issues created by malpositioned implants consist of soft and/or hard tissue grafting but tend to be utilized independently of each other in discrete procedures as opposed to being combined in one surgical protocol. The Triple Layer Graft (TLG) surgical protocol is novel in that it incorporates all three layers of grafting to address both soft and hard tissue deficits in one procedure done at one time after doing a decoronation technique. The TLG surgical and prosthetic protocol has been previously published by these authors, but this article will discuss the rationale along with the technique and indications and contraindications, illustrated via case reports. The authors will also report on the long-term results of this technique.
Conclusions:
The Triple Layer Graft TLG) in combination with the Decoronation technique is an effective method in managing mild as well as severe esthetic defects over the facial of previously placed implants.
Clinical Significance:
The Triple Layer Graft will allow implants that were previously removed in order to place a new implant along with ridge augmentation may be able to be saved. This is a wonderful procedure for the patient since the implant does not have to be removed and replaced.
