Hard and soft tissue augmentation in implant surgery: a case report

Correct pre- and postimplant hard and soft tissue management is prerequisite to achieving optimal esthetic and functional outcomes after implant-prosthesis treatment. Various different methods for preimplant hard tissue augmentation in alveolus maxillary atrophy are described. In some cases, non-resorbable titanium-reinforced membranes are employed for vertical augmentation of the edentulous crest. Also well documented is soft tissue management through mucus-gingival surgery techniques that increase the thickness of peri-implant keratinized gingiva, enhancing soft tissue esthetic and health. These methods also include the use of epithelial-connectival grafts collected from the palate. Here we present a clinical case of severe bone vertical resorption in edentulous areas treated with two vertical ridge augmentations by means of non-resorbable membranes in the retromandibular area and deferred insertion of six implants. Peri-implant plastic surgery techniques to improve the quantity of keratinized mucosa during the second surgery phase are also discussed. Combination of the two techniques resulted in harmonic tissue architecture and adequate presence of keratinized gingiva.