Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine - Department of Periodontology

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of subepithelial connective tissue graft to augment and improve the soft tissue esthetics around dental implants in comparison to non-augmented implants in the esthetic zone. Subject and methods: 16 implants were placed in 16 patients; 8 implants for each group. The control group included 8 patients with no augmentation after implant placement, while the study group included 8 patients with the subepithelial connective tissue graft 2SECTG3 augmentation at the time of implant placement. The final restorations were fabricated and fixed at 3th month postoperatively and the pink esthetic score was assessed. Additionally, the change in keratinized tissue width and thickness were evaluated every 1, 3, 6 and 9 months. Results: The results of the present study showed that, there was no statistically significant difference in the keratinized tissue width between the two groups at the baseline and throughout the follow-up period. However, the keratinized tissue thickness at 2mm level showed a statistical significant increase in the SCTG group than the control group at different follow up period. The current study did not show any statistically significant difference between the two groups in the pink esthetic score. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between the SCTG and the non- augmented control group in increasing the soft tissue thickness except at 2mm level .Following the correct 3 dimensional placement guidelines, positioning of the implants, careful manipulation of the soft tissue and the augmentive exposure technique in the esthetic zone resulted in very good esthetics independent of a simultaneous connective tissue graft augmentation in the first stage surgery

Issued also as CD