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Soft-tissue augmentation techniques for enhancing peri-implant volume: A systematic review
Farjad Zafar1, Maryam Riaz2, Rahul Kumar3
1Department of Dental Implantology, Baqai Dental College, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Journal of Indian Society of Periodontology
|April 6, 2026
Summary
Soft-tissue augmentation (STA) techniques, especially subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG), show promise for improving peri-implant tissue thickness and volume. Further high-quality research is needed to confirm these findings and refine protocols.
Area of Science:
- Dental Implantology
- Periodontology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Compromised soft tissue around dental implants presents a clinical challenge.
- Soft-tissue augmentation (STA) techniques aim to enhance peri-implant soft-tissue thickness and volume.
- Evaluating the effectiveness of STA is crucial for long-term implant success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically evaluate the effectiveness of various soft-tissue augmentation (STA) techniques.
- To assess STA's ability to enhance peri-implant soft-tissue thickness and volume.
- To identify optimal STA strategies for compromised peri-implant soft tissues.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of human studies investigating STA for peri-implant soft-tissue volume augmentation.
- Searched MEDLINE (PubMed) and EMBASE (Ovid) up to December 2024.
- Assessed risk of bias using Joanna Briggs Institute tools for RCTs, PCS, and CS; qualitative synthesis due to heterogeneity.
Main Results:
- Thirty-one studies (20 RCTs, 5 PCS, 6 CS) were included.
- Reported soft-tissue thickness gain ranged from 0.08 to 3.59 mm; volume gain from 0.16 to 186.38 mm³.
- Subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) with a split-thickness flap showed the most consistent outcomes, despite a high risk of bias.
Conclusions:
- STA techniques, particularly SCTGs, show potential for improving peri-implant soft-tissue dimensions.
- Results should be interpreted cautiously due to moderate-to-high risk of bias and lack of meta-analysis.
- Well-designed RCTs with standardized methods and long-term follow-up are needed to validate findings and optimize protocols.
