Thickening the attached gingiva around implants – the “H-technique” – case presentation

Abstract

The soft tissue environment around implants and around the related indirect restoration significantly influences not only the esthetic outcome of the implant-prosthetic solution, but may also influence long term stability of the dental implants. Traditionally biotype modification and thickening or widening the keratinized tissues around implants is carried out during a separate surgical procedure. This can be done either on the appointment of uncovering the implant and placing the healing abutment or later around the already placed healing abutments. The graft used for this specific procedure is usually a free gingival graft (FGG), which can cause significant morbidity to the donor site and also will differ in esthetic appearance from the surrounding soft tissues. The aim of the proposed technique is the simultaneous biotype modification and keratinized tissues augmentation with the aid of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) at the time of implant placement during an open healing. With this technique one should be able to decrease the morbidity of the donor site, reduce the number of surgical interventions and separate surgical steps (leading to reduced healing time) and also improve the esthetic outcome.