Preservation of Peri-Implant Mucosa by the Use of Polypropylene Membrane After Dental Extraction: A Case Report

Abstract

After dental extraction, bone resorption of the alveolar walls and invagination of the gingival tissue are expected. Bone resorption is usually greater in thickness than in height. In addition, the loss of gingival tissue can favour peri-implant mucosal defects, causing a risk to the integrity of this natural mechanical barrier, which is the peri-implant gingival tissue. Guided Tissue Regeneration and Guided Bone Regeneration techniques and procedures can be applied, although the success rate is variable and sometimes difficult to achieve. The use of polypropylene membrane has been widely used after dental extraction to maintain blood clot. This in turn is a natural endogenous precursor, consisting of pluripotent cells necessary for bone neoformation. The purpose of this article is to present the case of maintaining the peri implant keratinised gingiva strip - as a mechanical barrier to protect the implant neck - after tooth extraction and osseointegrated implant installation.