New technique for inter-implant papilla reconstruction between two or more implants in patients with variably reabsorbed ridges and flat anatomy. Preliminary results of a 9 consecutive clinical case series.

THE AIM OF THE WORK: Interimplant papilla reconstruction is difficult because the biologic width around an implant is apical to the implant-abutment connection and because the biologic width creates subcrestally. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the reconstruction of the interimplant papilla can be achieved by the use of an innovative surgical technique combined with scalloped implants, in the most severe surgical conditions, i.e. in variably reabsorbed ridges with flat anatomy.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: Nine surgical sites, in eight consecutive patients, were treated with at least two adjacent scalloped implants and fixed prosthesis. 23 scalloped implants were placed using this new surgical technique on bone and soft tissue structures. One flat platform implant was also placed between two other scalloped implants. A total of 15 interimplant papillae were examined.

RESULTS: 100% of papilla reconstruction at first prosthesis insertion. 13.3% failed to maintain interimplant papillae after 6 months and 20% after 12 months. Also, papilla reconstruction was maintained for 12 months in the mesial and distal embrasure spaces of the flat platform implant.

CONCLUSION: The combination of the use of adjacent scalloped implants with this surgical approach, even in reabsorbed ridges with flat anatomy, may reform inter-implant bone peaks as support for the papillae.