Peri‑Implant Soft‑Tissue Integration and Management. Mario Roccuzzo

      Fig 13b The crown and abutment were removed to provide access to the inflamed area.

      Fig 13c The treatment consisted of careful debridement and gentle cleaning of the area with titanium curettes and an ultrasonic device with a PTFE-coated tip.

      Fig 13d An FGG was harvested from the palate and perforated with a 4-mm biopsy punch.

      Fig 13e Precisely adapted FGG around the smooth collar of the implant.

      Fig 13f Graft secured by means of 5-0 Vicryl sutures.

      Fig 13g Six months after treatment.

      Fig 13h New screw-retained ceramic crown in situ.

      Dentists should focus on more than just the implants and prosthetic restorations to achieve long-term clinical success.

      Patients must be strongly motivated to adhere strictly to SPT and should be made to understand that supportive care is a key factor in enhancing the long-term outcome by controlling reinfection. Although the topic remains controversial due to a lack of proper scientific evidence, there is still enough clinical evidence that adequate keratinized tissue and vestibular depth may positively impact the health of the peri-implant mucosa. Furthermore, soft-tissue augmentation around implants in specific clinical situations may be of major help in ensuring long-term stability. Only if both the clinician and the patient understand the importance of a custom-planned SPT program—which may also include mucogingival surgery—can the risk of biological complications be reduced to a minimum.