Tongue Flap for Keratinized Soft Tissue Coverage Around Dental Implants: A Case Report and Discussion
The tongue flap is a hardy flap that is routinely utilized by oral and maxillofacial surgeons to cover intraoral defects. It has not been previously described as a method for keratinized soft tissue coverage in conjunction with dental implant placement. In this article, we describe use of a tongue flap in the closure of a chronic anterior maxillary dehiscence and to provide keratinized soft tissue coverage for anterior dental implants.
Figure 1. Soft tissue defect with implants in place. Bone appears healthy. Figure 2. Anteriorly based tongue flap. Figure 3. Harvest-site closure, leaving the base tension free. Figure 4. Double-layer closure of flap to anterior maxilla with use of intermaxillary fixation screws.
Figure 5. One month after division of flap. Figure 6. After soft-tissue recontouring and removal of the provisional restorations. Figure 7. Final prosthesis in place, buccal view. Figure 8. Final prosthesis in place, palatal view. Figure 9. Final prosthesis in place, panoramic radiograph.
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