Preservation of keratinized mucosa around implants using a prefabricated implant-retained stent: a case-control study

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of this study was to clinically assess the impact of a prefabricated implant-retained stent clipped over healing abutments on the preservation of keratinized mucosa around implants after implant surgery, and to compare it with horizontal external mattress sutures.MethodsA total of 50 patients were enrolled in this study. In the test group, a prefabricated implant-retained stent was clipped on the healing abutment after implant surgery to replace the keratinized tissue bucco-apically. In the control group, horizontal external mattress sutures were applied instead of using a stent. After the surgical procedure, the width of the buccal keratinized mucosa was measured at the mesial, middle, and distal aspects of the healing abutment. The change in the width of the buccal keratinized mucosa was assessed at 1 and 3 months.ResultsHealing was uneventful in both groups. The difference of width between baseline and 1 month was −0.26±0.85 mm in the test group, without any statistical significance (P=0.137). Meanwhile, the corresponding difference in the control group was −0.74±0.73 mm and it showed statistical significance (P<0.001). The difference of width between baseline and 3 months was −0.57±0.97 mm in the test group and −0.86±0.71 mm in the control group. These reductions were statistically significant (P<0.05); however, there was no difference between the 2 groups.ConclusionsUsing a prefabricated implant-retained stent was shown to be effective in the preservation of the keratinized mucosa around implants and it was simple and straightforward in comparison to the horizontal external mattress suture technique.

Effect of Using a Plastic Stent with Apically Repositioned Flap in Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Augmentation: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…Also, in line with our study, another investigation evaluated the effects of the use of a readymade plastic stent on the width of peri-implant keratinized mucosa and soft tissue and reported that the width of the keratinized mucosa was significantly higher and the distance from the top of the implant platform to the mucogingival junction was significantly longer in the readymade plastic stent group [ 12 ]. On the other hand, Kim et al reported a decrease in the width of keratinized mucosa 1 and 3 months after surgery in both control and test groups with a greater amount of reduction in the control group [ 13 ].…”

“…To overcome the limitations of previous surgical techniques, many investigators have devised methods for moving the keratinized gingival flap from the lingual to the buccal and apical directions by fixing a readymade plastic stent to the healing abutment [ 13 , 14 ].…”

“…To overcome the limitations of previous surgical techniques, many investigators have devised methods for moving the keratinized gingival flap from the lingual to the buccal and apical directions by fixing a readymade plastic stent to the healing abutment [13,14]. e present study was performed with the primary objective of clinically assessing and comparing the width of peri-implant keratinized mucosa following the use of a readymade plastic stent with apically repositioned flap versus conventional apically repositioned flap with papillary sparing incisions during single-stage implant placement protocol.…”

Keratinized mucosa changes around one‐stage implants: A prospective case series

“…The authors evaluated the changes in KM with the use of the pre-fabricated implant-retained stent clipped over the healing abutment, comparing it with the use of the only healing abutment in conjunction with horizontal mattress. 34 In their results, KM changes at 3 months follow up showed only a minor reduction over time for both groups. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies reporting the changes in the amount of KT around dental implants placed with a non-submerged technique.…”

“…In addition, new devices have been introduced in order to preserve the KM on both one-stage and two-stage implant placements. 33,34 This device consists of a prefabricated implant-retained stent clipped on provisional abutments.…”