Deepithelialized punched tissue for buccal soft tissue augmentation in implant placement

Adequate buccal soft tissue thickness is essential for long-term implant stability and aesthetics. Conventional augmentation with palatal connective tissue grafts is effective but increases morbidity and surgical time. This report presents a novel technique in which keratinized mucosa, routinely removed during guided implant placement, was preserved, deepithelialized, and reused as an autogenous graft. Two cases were treated: one with delayed loading and one with immediate loading. In both, the graft was placed into a buccal pouch and stabilized with a healing abutment. Clinical and radiographic follow-up showed uneventful healing, improved buccal soft tissue thickness, and stable peri-implant bone levels at 6 months. This technique highlights the feasibility of reusing discarded tissue as a donor-site-free grafting material within guided workflows.