Mucogingival Surgical Techniques Applied to Implantology

Abstract

This essay was performed in order to answer two objectives: describe different mucogingival surgical techniques applied over implants to augment or maintain the keratinized tissue and to explain the importance of the keratinized tissue around the implants not only from a functional point of view but also from an aesthetical one. The research to select the articles were performed into different scientifical journals and different scientifical interfaces between them there are PubMed, Medline, Wiley online library, American journal of periodontics, Europe PMC, Journal of oral implantology and a lot more. Key words as: implants, periodontal plastic surgery, free gingival graft, connective tissue graft, coronally repositioned flap, tunnel techniques, Edel, Raetzke, root coverage, were used. The total number of articles used was of 37 plus one book. The inclusion criteria were English language, mucogingival techniques applied over implants, documented cases report, aesthetical and functional use of mucogingival techniques. Today the attention in implant therapy has shift from the implant’s osteointegration to the different types of treatment’s techniques of soft tissue in order to mimic them to natural dentition. The treatment of the soft tissue not only has the camouflage aim but also the preservation or regeneration of those soft tissue to ensure the survival of the implant. At least 2 mm of keratinized tissue is required to achieve and maintain the health status of periimplant soft tissue. Between the four techniques described into this essay there is not one which will work better than the others due to fact that each case need to be individualize based on the necessities of the situation. Factors as the knowledge and the experience of the surgeon together with the request of the patient will play an important role in the decision-making process. Due to the limited number of articles used to describe the different approaches all the knowledge should be taken with caution.