Reconstructing Peri-implant and Papillary Soft Tissue in the Esthetic Area Using Interdental Tissue, a Tuberosity Connective Tissue Graft, and a Tunneling Approach: A Case Report.

Long-term survival of dental implants in both fully and partially edentulous patients has been proven successful, as reported in the literature. However, maintenance of soft-tissue quality and volume is often difficult due to the multiple surgeries involved in implant placement and the physiological resorption of bone after tooth extraction. Soft-tissue augmentation is frequently necessary to improve soft-tissue contour and can be done simultaneously with implant or abutment placement or following the final insertion of the implant-supported prostheses. The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate a surgical procedure used to augment a peri-implant buccal soft-tissue defect using interdental palatal tissue from a pocket reduction procedure in combination with a distal wedge graft from the tuberosity as connective tissue utilizing a tunneling approach in the esthetic area. The implant restorations in the reported case were delivered 1 year prior to the soft-tissue reconstruction.