Objective: The aim of the present study was to describe and compare the features of the buccal peri-implant mucosa to natural gingiva in the aesthetic area.
Material and methods: Forty-nine periodontally healthy patients were included in this cross-sectional study. Mucosal and gingival dimensions at the mid-facial aspect were evaluated clinically and radiographically. Color assessments were performed using a reflectance spectrophotometer, and patient aesthetic satisfaction was further checked.
Results: Implant sites revealed significant thicker mucosa when compared to tooth sites both at 1.5 (p < 0.001) and 3 mm (p < 0.001) apical to the mucosal margin. Both conventional and digital methods presented a good reliability. The spectrophotometric data revealed a statistically significant color difference between the peri-implant mucosa and the gingiva. However, there was no further significant relation between these color changes and the mucosal thickness.
Conclusions: Peri-implant mucosa revealed a darkish, greenish, and bluish discoloration when compared to the gingiva. More satisfactory patient´s aesthetic evaluation was reported in sites with thicker and comparatively lighter mucosa when compared to the adjacent dentition.
Clinical relevance: This article focuses on variables affecting color stability and aesthetics around dental implants. These can be assessed to identify the need for peri-implant phenotypic modification.
Keywords: Aesthetics; Crowns; Gingiva; Implants; Mucosa.
© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.