Single implant restorations: prosthetically induced soft tissue topography

An aesthetic transition from the smaller diameter of the implant to the prosthetic restoration that resembles the size of the natural tooth has presented an ongoing challenge to the implant restorative dentists. The appearance of the surrounding soft tissue is of major importance, and various techniques have been developed to guide and optimize its topography. The learning objective of this article is to present a cervical contouring concept, whereby the soft tissue topography is optimally determined already in the laboratory phase. Using a custom abutment and provisional crown as components of the transmucosal prosthetic unit (TPU), the topography is transferred to the vital intraoral tissues, which predictably adapt to the enhanced aesthetic configuration. Clinical cases are presented to demonstrate the sequence of the technique in treating the anterior region of the maxilla.