Developing soft tissue contours for implant-supported restorations: a simplified method for enhanced aesthetics

The success of a full coverage crown restoration, whether placed on a natural abutment or a dental implant, requires healthy and correctly contoured soft tissue "framing" for the restoration. Any compromise in soft tissue configuration may result in an aesthetic and functional failure of the final restoration. Traditionally, soft tissue grafts and other augmentation materials have been utilized to develop natural contours and appearance. The learning objective of this article is to present a simplified technique--the use of wide diameter prosthodontic components--for establishing the correct soft tissue profile. This technique enables the clinician to develop an anatomically correct implant-supported restoration with an aesthetic final result.