Soft Tissue Augmentation Around Immediate Implants In The Esthetic Zone

Overview

Following tooth loss, a considerable reduction in hard- and soft-tissue volume can be expected (Tan WL, et al., 2012), (AraujoMG, et al., 2015). In the anterior maxilla, tissue loss can make future implant restorations more challenging and less predictable in terms of achieving and maintaining favorable soft-tissue-emergence profiles. Even with careful implant planning and placement, marginal gingival recession of 0.5-1 mm has been a common finding with single-tooth implants (Nisapakultorn K, et al., 2010), (Suphanantachat S, et al., 2012). This is partly attributed to bone remodeling after implant surgery, and occurs regardless of implant-placement protocol used (Hof M, et al., 2015).

The dome technique addresses the placement of the CT, as it is layered over the implant and takes the shape of an inverted dome. The advantage of the dome CT technique is that it allows for both buccal and coronal augmentation of local soft tissue, while maximizing blood supply to the area by using tunneling-technique principles. It enhances and augments the peri-implant tissue foundation for a favorable facial and interproximal restorative emergence profile. As this technique does not involve raising an independent buccal flap, the gingival tissue of the adjacent teeth is not compromised, and thus the risk of recession and formation of black triangles on the adjacent teeth is minimized.

Conditions