Prosthodontic rehabilitation of immediately placed dental implants following soft tissue augmentation

Case report

Abstract

A 68-year-old nonsmoking male patient with thin gingival biotype presented for treatment of mobile mandibular left premolars. Extraction of teeth and immediate dental implant placement has been suggested. To prevent vestibular gingival recession and insure tissue stability by increasing thickness of marginal gingiva, acellular dermal matrix allograft was applied using the coronally advanced modified tunnelling technique. Six months later premolars were extracted, immediately replaced with implants and temporary crowns. After another four months, definitive gold ceramic crowns were cemented on prefabricated titanium abutments. Due to the altered gingival biotype and application of the platform switching phenomenon no vertical bone resorption and gingival recession was recorded at 6, 12 and 24 month follow-up with a well acceptable esthetic appearance.