[The aesthetic effect of connective tissue grafting in cases of single-tooth replacement].

Replacement of a single tooth in the maxillofacial aesthetic zone is a reliable treatment option. Recession of the mid-buccal mucosa, however, frequently results in a less favourable aesthetic outcome. It is possible that thickening of the buccal mucosa through connective tissue grafting would improve the final result. Therefore, this doctoral research assessed what the effect is of connective tissue grafting on the condition and aesthetics of the peri-implant tissue in single-tooth replacement in the aesthetic zone. In immediately placed and restored implants, the application of a connective tissue graft resulted in somewhat less recession of the mid-buccal mucosa. This effect was not seen in conventionally placed implants in an augmented extraction alveolus. In other words: the application of a connective tissue graft had little effect on the aesthetic result and should not be used as a standard procedure.