Characterization of the Healthy Peri-Implant Mucosa

Abstract

Objective: This cross-sectional study aimed to characterize the soft tissue around healthy implants and compare it with the soft tissue of healthy natural teeth.

Materials and Methods: A split-mouth cross-sectional study involving 66 maxillary anterior implants and teeth was conducted. Outcome measures included the following: Papilla dimensions and distance to the contact point, soft tissue thickness, Keratinized tissue(KT) width, CIELAB color values, blood flow as measured via ultrasonographic power and perfusion, buccal bone thickness, and descriptive results such as stippling, contour, form, and texture (IRB: HUM00194618).

Results: When compared to the contralateral healthy teeth, implants exhibited statistically significant differences (SSD) with regards to having thicker buccal soft tissues. Additionally, the free gingival margin of implants exhibited statistical significance in a* hue changes (along the red-green axis) in correlation with soft tissue thickness. Data suggested a linear relationship between individual CIELAB L*a*b* values and soft tissue thickness. All other outcome measures showed no statistically significant differences.

Conclusions: One of the primary findings of this study suggests that soft tissue color is influenced in a linear fashion with increasing tissue thickness, regardless of whether it is an implant or tooth site. This may have implications regarding esthetic changes after soft tissue grafting.