An apically positioned flap and free gingival graft around an implant

Abstract

Following the ‘2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions,’ hard and soft tissue deficiencies have been debated in the literature with keratinized mucosa at the forefront. In this case report, the present author investigated whether an apically positioned flap and free gingival graft to increase keratinized mucosa and vestibular depth improved oral hygiene and patient comfort around an implant-retained upper complete denture. Using an apically positioned flap in combination with free gingival graft to augment the soft tissues around implants with hard and soft tissue deficiencies, increased both the keratinized mucosa and vestibular depth to correct the soft tissue deficiencies. This case report highlights the importance keratinized mucosa and vestibular depth has at the patient and site level in improving oral hygiene and patient comfort. This case report also supports the growing evidence that the ideal periodontal phenotype around implants is to have keratinized mucosa ≥2 mm and vestibular depth ≥4 mm. This case report supports growing evidence that the ideal periodontal phenotype around implants is to have keratinized mucosa ≥2 mm and vestibular depth ≥4 mm.