Abstract

SERRILHO, Ramon Pimentel; FRARE, João Gilberto  and  PINTO, Gustavo Nascimento de Souza. Soft tissue grafting as an option to address peri-implant defects. Clinical case report. Rev. Assoc. Paul. Cir. Dent. [online]. 2015, vol.69, n.4, pp. 350-354. ISSN 0004-5276.

Esthetics has been considered one of the dominating factors for the development of the implant therapy, involving not only the anatomy of the tooth to be replaced, but also the healthy and harmonious appearance of the periimplant tissue. Connective tissue grafting has been employed with high success rates to obtain esthetics, function and health of the soft tissue mucosa. Objective: To present a clinical case that illustrates a connective tissue grafting technique associated with a laterally-displaced flap approach as an option for esthetically compromised periimplant regions. Materials and Methods: A Female patient, 51 years, attended our dental office complaining of lack of harmony between teeth, implant and gingiva in the anterosuperior region of the mouth. A laterally-displaced flap approach followed by connective tissue grafting was performed in the periimplant region of tooth 11 in order to increase gingival tissue height and volume. Results: Thirty days post-operatively, the patient demonstrated complete coverage of the periimplant surface and gains in keratinized tissue. In the one-year follow-up visit, esthetics and harmony were obtained with the chosen treatment. Conclusion: This case report demonstrated the need to recognize the different periodontal surgeries alternatives by the dentist in order to deal with gingival defects, and to illustrate one of the possible techniques to solve this type of problem.

Keywords : dental implantation; periodontics; connective tissue; surgery; plastic.