Sanz-Martín I, Regidor E, Navarro J, Sanz-Sánchez I, Sanz M, Ortiz-Vigón A Factors associated with the presence of peri-implant buccal soft tissue dehiscences. A case-control study. J Periodontol 2020; DOI: 10.1002/JPER.19-0490. [Epub ahead of print].

The bucco-palatal implant position was the most relevant factor related to the presence of buccal soft tissue dehiscences.

This cross-sectional observational study identified factors associated with the presence of buccal soft tissue dehiscences (BSTD), defined as an exposure of the prosthetic abutment, the implant neck or the implant surface in the anterior maxillae or mandible (premolar-premolar). Fifty-two cases (CAS) with a minimum of 24 months of loading, with the presence of a BSTD, and 52 controls (CON) matched for age and years in function were selected. Clinical and radiographic parameters from periapical radiographs and CBCT were analysed. The CAS had a mean keratinised mucosa (KM) of 1.65±1.31 mm, while in the CON KM was 3.27±1.28 mm. Probing depths were similar, whereas bleeding on probing and plaque scores were higher in the CAS. Mean bone level scores in the CAS were 1.71±1.04 mm, and 1.27±1.01 mm in CON. The first bone to implant contact at the buccal aspect was 4.85±3.12 mm in CAS and 2.15±3.44 mm in CON. CAS were 1.48±0.93 mm outside the alveolar envelope, while the CON were 0.46±0.77 mm. Implants buccally positioned in the CBCTs were 34 times more likely to belong to the case group. The presence of >2 mm of KM at the time of evaluation, presence of adjacent natural teeth, cemented restorations and two-piece implants were protective factors.