Wrinkle Appearance on the Labial Gingival at Implant Site: Recommendations?

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2008

Dr. J. from Brisbane, Australia asks:
I placed a dental implant into a healed extraction site to replace a maxillary central incisior. The soft tissue on the labial of this site has a small indentation or wrinkle similar to the rugae on the palate. I fully expect the implant to integrate without problems. But I am concerned about the appearance of the labial gingival at the site. What would you recommend to remove this wrinkle? The tissue involved is keratinized gingival. Would laser surgery be a good choice for treatment? Soft tissue graft? Thanks.

7 Comments on Wrinkle Appearance on the Labial Gingival at Implant Site: Recommendations?

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satish joshi

06/23/2008

If wrinkle has caused an overbuild up,do resection with laser,if it has caused deficiency,then use Ct graft with split thickness flap, followed by laser to do plasty. May be just an envelop flap would be sufficient.

Christo Lombard

06/25/2008

I've seen this usually happen about 2-3 weeks after soft-tissue healing where an implant was placed and the suture material was placed. Are you doing immediate loading or a 2-stage procedure? If the temporary crown is placed and you wait a couple of weeks, normally the gingiva contours itself to the crown-form. My advice: wait a while...

John Clark

06/25/2008

Chris, I'm using two stages, as theimplant was placed into a bioss grafted site which was well consolidatedd at placement but I don't want to take any chances with it. John

Don Callan

06/25/2008

It should correct itself, give it a little time. If not you can plasty the area after integration.

Dr. R. Wright

06/27/2008

I agree with the last comment. This may correct itself if it doesn't , you can always do a plasty later.

RSB

07/01/2008

Could be a fibrotic band. Gentle massage can be helpful initially. If that doesnt help, think of doing a plasty.

Dr SDJ

07/04/2008

Wow! This ones got a wide array of treatment options from Laser surgery to scalpel surgery to massage! :)