Gingival Conditioning in an Implant-Supported Prosthesis: A Clinical Report
The loss of gingival volume is a major challenge for dental surgeons with implant-supported fixed prosthesis manufactures, particularly from an aesthetics perspective in patients with a high smile line. Gingival tissue remodeling can help in papillae formation to avoid soft tissue surgery by reestablishing the appropriate shape and gingival contour of the tissues. This improves not only the aesthetics, but also the phonetics of the patient. This paper describes a clinical case of gingival conditioning obtained with interim implant-supported fixed partial dentures via incremental addition and adjustment of acrylic resin. The purpose of the gingival conditioning was to obtain improved aesthetics. Gingival conditioning by gradual pressure application is presented as an easy, non-traumatic technique that improves gingival aesthetics.
Figure 1. Initial clinical situation. Figure 2. (a) The exposure of the healing abutment over the implant in site number 10 and the presence of black triangle between teeth numbers 8 and 9. (b) Panoramic radiograph. Figure 3. (a) Ischemia induced by adding resin. (b) Color following adjustments. Figure 4. (a) A groove was created with a spherical drill (0.0394-inch diameter) on the vestibular facial surface. (b) Polishing of the groove. Figure 5. (a) The final provisional prosthesis was installed over the implants and the conditioning was finalized. (b) Final gingival tissue architecture.
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