Tissue Around the Restoration

Minimizing the risk of soft tissue deficiencies around dental implants is crucial for achieving long-term functional and aesthetic success in implant dentistry. Soft tissue deficiencies can lead to compromised esthetics, increased plaque biofilm accumulation and associated inflammation, and importantly peri-implant diseases, potentially impacting patient satisfaction and implant longevity. This presentation highlights key factors influencing soft tissue health around implants as well as strategies to preserve and enhance peri-implant soft tissues. By understanding and adopting measures in the primordial phase of treatment, clinicians can significantly reduce the risk of soft tissue deficiencies, ensuring improved outcomes associated with implant rehabilitations.

Clinicians should be aware that, although lateral and vertical ridge augmentation procedures have been shown to be effective, they are highly demanding therapies requiring surgical training, experience, and skills. In fact, the reported complication rate is high and varies among different techniques. Commonly observed graft or membrane exposures can result in wound infections and ultimately loss of the graft.