Investigation of the Clinical Effects of Peri-Implant Gingival Morphology on Tissue Health

This study aims to determine the gingival phenotype around dental implants and the clinical evaluation of the existing phenotype in relation to the tissue health around the implant. Included were 202 dental implants applied to 60 individuals who applied to our service and had at least 1 implant in the mouth, whose prosthetic restoration was completed at least 1 year ago. The effects of keratinized mucosa width (KMW) and gingival thickness (GT), which form the gingival phenotype, on clinical periodontal parameters were evaluated with the obtained data. Of the implants included in the study, 115 were found to have adequate KMW and 87 had insufficient KMW. At the same time, the GT around 74 implants was found to be thick, and the GT around 128 implants was found to be thin. The KMW of those with thin GT was lower than those with thick GT. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), and suppuration (SuP) were found to be low in those with adequate KMW. GI, BoP, PD, GR, and SuP were low in patients with thick GT, but there was no significant difference between GT and PI. KMW and GT were associated with peri-implant tissue inflammation and GR. To maintain the health of the peri-implant tissues, it is recommended to have a KMW of at least 2 mm and a thick gingiva.