The use of free gingival soft tissue to improve the implant/soft-tissue interface.
Various techniques for the placement of different types of dental implants have evolved to the point where predictable bone-to-implant integration occurs if proper surgical technique is followed. The soft-tissue adaptation to the implant abutment is the first line of defense to prevent the development of peri-implantitis and subsequent bone loss. Given that there is a tenuous protective seal around dental implants, the rationale for soft-tissue augmentation around dental implants to provide an improved, tightly adapted implant/soft-tissue interface definitely exists.
Silverstein
L H
LH
Department of Periodontics, Medical College of Georgia, School of Dentistry.
Lefkove
M D
MD
Garnick
J J
JJ
D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000517:prevention & control; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D005881:Gingiva / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*
D015921:Dental Implants