The relationship between dental implant papilla and dental implant mucosa around single-tooth implant in the esthetic area: A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was (a) to evaluate the relationship between dental implant mucosa and dental implant papilla levels; and (b) to identify the clinical parameters associated with peri-implant soft tissue stability over time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study on a cohort of patients seeking a single-tooth implant therapy in a private practice in the Paris area. Two independent examiners analyzed photographs and radiographs taken the day of definitive crown load (baseline) and the last follow-up visit (at least 12 months later) in order to measure four peri-implant soft and hard tissue parameters. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients corresponding to 90 implants were analyzed. During a mean follow-up of 53.88 months, five implants (5.6%) presented with an apical displacement of the mid-facial marginal mucosal level of at least 1 mm. Changes in the mid-facial mucosa level were explained by changes in (a) the keratinized tissue height over time (p < .0001); (b) changes in the papilla height (p < .0001); and (c) by the periodontal phenotype (p = .007). A significant difference between papillae that gain in height (n = 85) and papilla that lost height (n = 78) was observed concerning (a) the timing of the implant placement (p = .019); and (b) the presence of an incomplete papilla fill (distance from the top of the papilla to the contact point) at baseline (p = .004). CONCLUSIONS: The present findings indicate a dependent association between dental implant mucosa and dental implant papilla levels. Stability of peri-implant soft tissues depends on periodontal phenotype, keratinized tissue height and papilla height.