Profilometric, esthetic, and patient‐reported outcomes of the L‐shape technique combined with delayed connective tissue grafting in the maxillary anterior region: A 3‐year case series study

• Published in: Journal of esthetic and restorative dentistry 2024-07, Vol.36 (7), p.967-975
• Main Authors: Kim, Yeon‐Tae, Lee, Jae‐Hong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Bone growth; bone substitute; Connective tissue; Connective Tissue - transplantation; Connective tissues; dental esthetics; dental implants; Esthetics, Dental; Female; Humans; Male; Maxilla; Middle Aged; Patient Reported Outcome Measures; Patients; Quality of life; Regeneration; Statistical analysis
• ISSN: 1496-4155; 1708-8240; 1708-8240
• DOI: 10.1111/jerd.13229

Objective To evaluate the profilometric, esthetic, and patient‐reported outcomes of peri‐implant tissues in the maxillary anterior esthetic zone following guided bone regeneration (GBR) using the L‐shape technique combined with delayed connective tissue grafting (CTG). Materials and Methods Profilometric and pink esthetic score (PES) measurements were performed at the time of implant surgery with GBR (T0) and at the 1‐ (T1), 2‐ (T2), and 3‐year (T3) follow‐up. Patient‐reported outcomes were also assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14) questionnaire. Statistical analysis over 3 years of follow‐up assessed changes at time points (T0, T1, T2, and T3) and time periods (T0–T1, T0–T2, and T0–T3) using the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test. Results A total of 12 patients (57.5 ± 12.3 years) were included in this study. The mean profilometric change in peri‐implant tissues over the 3‐year follow‐up period was 3.49 ± 1.11 mm, and the buccal contours were not significantly different between the comparison periods. The PES remained stable, while all OHIP‐14 domain scores improved significantly. Conclusion Simultaneous implant placement and GBR using the L‐shape technique combined with delayed CTG in the maxillary anterior region provides stable buccal profiles and consistent esthetics and improves patient‐reported quality of life over a 3‐year period. Clinical Significance This study demonstrated that GBR using the L‐shape technique combined with delayed CTG in the maxillary anterior region improved the buccal profile, esthetics, and patient‐reported quality of life.