Clinical Research Directory

Association Between Peri-implant Soft Tissue Thickness and Midfacial Marginal Mucosal Recession

Peri-implant mucosal recession in the anterior esthetic zone is a clinically important complication because it can expose implant components, compromise esthetics, and reduce patient satisfaction. Soft-tissue thickness is considered one of the factors that may influence marginal mucosal stability, but the thickness required to minimize recession remains uncertain and may depend on implant position, facial bone thickness, tissue phenotype, surgical technique, and the timing of implant placement. The central research question is: Is there a minimum peri-implant soft-tissue thickness at implant placement or restoration that is associated with a clinically meaningful reduction in midfacial mucosal recession over time? An important distinction for the study is that an association between thicker tissue and less recession does not, by itself, establish a universal protective thickness threshold. The study should investigate both the continuous relationship between tissue thickness and recession and whether a clinically useful cutoff can be identified.