Preoperative gingival conditioning as a guide for implant installation and to achieve proper dentogingival contours

Abstract

A successful esthetic outcome for implant-supported dentures depends on the careful manipulation of peri-implant tissue as well as the precise placement of the implant. In addition, careful surgical and prosthetic planning is essential for esthetically important areas, especially in partially edentulous cases. This study describes a clinical case that presented absent maxillary central incisors in which prior prosthetic planning was used to perform provisional restorations, that was used to condition the gingival tissues and guide implant installation. These procedures made it possible to achieve a dentogingival contour, interdental papillae, and an emergence profile in the edentulous area. The techniques outlined here proved to be sufficient and support the peri-implant tissues to create a more esthetic final prosthesis.