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Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a xenogeneic collagen matrix to augment the width of keratinized mucosa (KM), concomitantly to the surgical treatment of peri‐implantitis, when compared to the use of an autologous soft tissue graft. Material and methods: In this 12‐month parallel‐arm randomized controlled clinical trial, patients with peri‐implantitis were randomly assigned, one month after non‐surgical therapy, to surgical resective treatment of peri‐implantitis consisting on an apically positioned flap (APF) in combination with a KM augmentation procedure, either with an autologous free gingival graft (FGG) or a collagen matrix (CM). Primary outcomes were the increase in the width of KM and probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction at 12 months. As secondary outcomes, peri‐implant radiographic and patient‐reported outcomes were assessed. Results: The intention‐to‐treat population consisted of 49 subjects, assigned to either the APF + FGG (n = 23) or APF + CM (n = 26) group. PPDs were reduced by 1.6 mm (SD 1.0) and 1.7 mm (SD 1.2), respectively, being these differences non statistically significant (p =.782). However, the increase in KM was significantly higher in the APF + FGG compared with APF + CM (2.5 mm [SD 1.6] vs. 1.6 mm [SD 1.2], respectively (p =.033). Conclusion: The tested surgical modalities resulted in similar improvements of the clinical parameters. Both free gingival graft and collagen matrix significantly increased the peri‐implant keratinized mucosa, but this KM gain was significantly higher with the free gingival graft. Use of CM, however, was better appreciated by the patients, in terms of pain perception and analgesic consumption, although the surgical time was similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prevention and treatment of peri-implant diseases have become a key element in modern implant dentistry. The long-term success of implantsupported restorations is not only dependent on the quality and precision of modern implant systems, but on the efficacy of preventive measures for thelong-term maintenance of peri-implant tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most people want to look beautiful. The ability to express feelings is fundamental to the quality of life, but expressing emotions is impossible without the freedom to smile. A patient with an ill-fitting removable denture and a fixed, porcelain-fused-to- metal bridge sought care to improve her smile. This fixed bridge was removed and direct provisional restorations placed, followed by crown-lengthening surgery and implant placement, waiting 10 months for the patient to heal. We waited one month to check occlusal stability and patient satisfaction and then made the final precision impressions and master casts. We cemented the final restorations; lithium disilicate allowed the creation of an esthetic result without sacrificing strength with use of both full-anatomy and layered techniques. Dental implants make it possible to have non-removable teeth that can be integrated esthetically and functionally, allowing the recreation of tooth color, form, and structure to reestablish a patient's smile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]