Soft Tissue Augmentation of Dental Implants -Before, During and After Implant Placement

Background: Dental implants have traditionally been focused on bone quality and quantity to house the dental implant for successful restoration of the edentulous ridge.Rough surface implants provide predictable osseointegration but results in the development of peri-implantitis when exposed to the oral environment.The peri-implant mucosa provides protection to the underlying bone via its immune response and protection from apical biofilm migration.An adequate band of attached keratinized mucosa also improves comfort with performing oral hygiene, limit early marginal bone loss and improved aesthetic outcomes around implant prostheses.Aim: The purpose of this article is to provide a literature review on the importance of attached keratinized mucosa around dental implants.It also shares simple strategies to improve the peri-implant mucosa before, during and after implant placement.Discussion: There is a paradigm shift in dental implantology with an increasing importance placed on the quality and quantity of soft tissue around dental implants to improve the surgical and prosthetic outcomes of implant therapy.