Horizontal Management of Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Deficiency with mucoderm®

Dr. Omar Elattar

A 45-year-old patient presented with missing mandibular molars #46 and #47 and requested an implant-supported solution. Due to the long-standing edentulous area, the soft tissue volume and thickness were compromised. The treatment objective was to establish an adequate soft tissue contour and a natural emergence profile for the definitive restoration.

Two implants were placed at sites #46 and #47, followed by simultaneous buccal soft tissue augmentation using mucoderm® as a low morbidity alternative to an autogenous connective tissue graft. Healing abutments were inserted to allow for transgingival healing.

Following initial soft tissue thickening and volume gain achieved with mucoderm® , custom healing abutments were fabricated and placed to progressively shape the peri implant soft tissue and develop a natural molar emergence profile. The final outcome demonstrates a substantial increase in soft tissue volume and a well contoured emergence profile achieved through the combination of mucoderm® and staged soft tissue conditioning with custom healing abutments, without the need for bone augmentation.