Treatment of buccal soft tissue dehiscence around single implant: 5-year results from a prospective study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to report the 5-year outcomes of a coverage procedure of shallow maxillary soft tissue dehiscences, around single tissue-level implants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The original population consisted of 16 patients presenting a single maxillary buccal implant soft tissue recession. A connective tissue graft, taken from the maxillary tuberosity, was inserted underneath a split-thickness envelope flap. After treatment, patients received individually tailored supportive periodontal therapy (SPT). RESULTS: Two patients were lost to follow-up, while one implant was removed due to peri-implantitis, before the final examination. At 5 years, complete implant soft tissue coverage was depicted in 8 out of 13 cases (62%). Mean soft tissue dehiscence coverage was 86%. Patients' esthetic evaluation showed the persistency of high VAS scores. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of buccal soft tissue dehiscence around single implant, followed by regular supportive therapy, resulted in good esthetic and functional results in the majority of patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Within the limits of this study, the positive results suggest that the proposed technique may be a reliable option in selected cases.