Soft tissue topography and dimensions lateral to single implant-supported restorations. A cross-sectional study

Objectives The aim was to evaluate potential relationships between the implant position relative to adjacent teeth and dimensions and topography of the papillae lateral to implant-supported single-tooth restorations. Material and methods A total of 32 subjects with a single implant-supported restoration in the esthetic zone of the maxilla were consecutively selected for the study. Soft and hard tissues at the proximal sites of the restoration were evaluated by the use of clinical, photographic, diagnostic cast, and radiographic assessments. A questionnaire was used for assessment of the patients' satisfaction with the esthetic outcome of the restorations. Potential factors influencing the papilla level and the presence of a complete papilla fill were investigated with generalized estimation equations (GEE) analysis. Results The bone level at the adjacent tooth significantly influenced the papilla level (P<0.001). The distance between the contact point and the bone level at the adjacent tooth was significantly shorter for complete (4.3mm) papillae than that for deficient papillae (5.7mm) (P<0.001). The GEE logistic model revealed that the chance of a complete papilla fill improved with increased facio-lingual thickness of the papilla (P=0.004) and decreased distance between the contact point and the bone level at the tooth (P=0.004). The self-reported satisfaction with the esthetic appearance of the implant-born restoration was not significantly different between patients with complete and deficient papillae. Conclusion The probability of a complete papilla fill was significantly affected by the facio-lingual dimension of the papilla base and the distance between the contact point between the crowns and the bone level at the tooth.