Creation of interimplant papillae through a split-finger technique.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this pilot study is to propose a technique, the split-finger approach, to preserve/promote papillae formation.


METHODS
Twenty-one patients with 39 implants consecutively placed in the maxillary anterior region were evaluated at 6 months to 1 year after prosthodontic restoration. The implants evaluated included 16 single-tooth implants, 1 2-unit implant prosthesis, 2 4-unit tooth implants, 1 6-unit prostheses, and 1 7-unit restoration. The papillae were recorded as 0 = no papillae; 1 = < or =50% of the gingival embrasure height; 2 = >50% but <100% of embrasure height; 3 = 100% closure of the proximal space; and 4 = overgrowth of the interproximal tissue.


RESULTS
Data from this pilot study showed no class 0, class 1, or class 4 interproximal papillae after the final restoration. The 16 single-tooth restorations and 32 papillae had an average mesial papilla score of 3 and an average of 2.82 for the distal interproximal space. The average papilla score of the other implant papillae sites were 2.7 at 6 months to 1 year. A lower papilla score was noted in interimplant papillae.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed split-finger technique could serve as a clinically useful alternate procedure to promote/augment papillae formation around dental implants.
Misch
Carl E
CE
Department of Periodontology/Prevention/Geriatrics, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA. misch@info.com
Al-Shammari
Khalaf F
KF
Wang
Hom-Lay
HL
D015921:Dental Implants / Q000145:classification; D019250:Dental Implants, Single-Tooth; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology; D005893:Gingivoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013499:Surface Properties; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014945:Wound Healing
D015921:Dental Implants