Volumetric changes and peri-implant health at implant sites with or without soft tissue grafting in the esthetic zone, a retrospective case-control study with a 5-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the volumetric changes and peri-implant health at implant sites with and without previous soft tissue grafting over a 5-year observation period.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In 18 partially edentulous patients, dental implants were placed in the esthetic zone (15-25) with simultaneous guided bone regeneration, followed by submerged healing. During the healing phase, eight patients (test) received a subepithelial connective tissue graft, whereas 10 patients (control) did not receive any soft tissue augmentation. Subsequently, abutment connection was performed and final reconstructions were inserted. Impressions were taken 1 week after crown insertion and at 5 years. Obtained casts were scanned and superimposed for volumetric and linear measurements. The mean distance (MD) in the mid-buccal area between the two surfaces and the differences in buccal marginal mucosal level (bMMLchange ) and in ridge width (RWchange ) were evaluated. Peri-implant health was assessed using probing pocket depth (PPD) values, plaque index (PlI) and bleeding on probing (BOP).

RESULTS: At a median follow-up time of 60.5 months a median MD of -0.38 mm (Min: -0.94; Max: -0.03) (test) and of -0.51 mm (Min: -0.76; Max: 0.05) (control) was calculated. The level of the margo mucosae (bMMLchange ) demonstrated a median loss of -0.42 mm (Min: -1.1; Max: -0.01) (test) and of -0.33 mm (Min: -1.02; Max: 0.00) (control). The median RWchange ranged between -0.44 mm and -0.73 mm (test) and between -0.49 mm and -0.54 mm (control). Mean PPD values slightly increased, whereas PlI and BOP remained stable over time in both groups. None of the comparisons between the groups revealed statistically significant differences (P > 0.35). A small sample size must be considered, however.

CONCLUSIONS: Limited by a retrospective case-control study design, implant sites with and without soft tissue grafting on the buccal side revealed only minimal volumetric and linear changes and stability of peri-implant parameters over 5 years.