Quantitative evaluation of connective tissue grafts on peri-implant tissue morphology in the esthetic zone: A 1-year prospective clinical study

Background In the treatment of anterior implants, few studies have quantitatively evaluated the effects of connective tissue grafts on labial bone resorption and soft tissue recession. Purpose To evaluate the influence of connective tissue grafting (CTG) on the peri-implant tissue morphology by quantitatively measuring change over time the tissue surrounding the implant in the anterior esthetic zone. Material and Methods Twenty-six patients who received implants with platform shifting in the anterior esthetic region were included in this follow-up study. Patients were classified as those who received CTG [CTG (+) group] and those who did not [CTG (-) group]. The vertical and horizontal dimensions of the buccal alveolar bone of the implant and its surrounding soft tissues were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography. Results At 1 year after connection of the superstructure, labial soft tissue recession was on average 0.64 mm in the CTG (-) group and 0.09 mm in the CTG (+) group, and this difference was significant (P < .001). Furthermore, mean labial bone resorption was 0.65 mm in the CTG (-) group and 0.13 mm in the CTG (+) group, and also this difference was significant (P = .003). Conclusions Within the limitations of this study, these findings suggest that CTG may be effective in both reducing labial bone resorption around the implant and reducing the recession of the soft tissue.