Papillae alterations around single-implant restorations in the anterior maxillae: thick versus thin mucosa

Abstract

After insertion of a crown, individuals with naturally thick gum tissue may have a higher chance of it regenerating properly, research from China shows. In a pilot study of 40 individuals, Hong-Chang Lai at the Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and colleagues at this university and the University of Hong Kong, tracked the natural response of gum tissue (mucosa) for six months following a single front tooth crown insertion with no post-crown intervention. The researchers focused on the development of the papillae—the triangular sections of gum between teeth—around the crown. Their results showed that the participants with a naturally thicker mucosa tended to develop a neater, more aesthetically acceptable papilla around the crown, avoiding the so-called ‘black triangle’ effect of missing or discolored papilla.

Keywords

esthetic outcome / papilla fill index / single-implant restoration / soft tissue thickness

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