Treatment of Small Peri-Implant Buccal Dehiscence Defects With SCTG or GBR: 3-Year Results of a Pilot Study

Objective

To evaluate and compare subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) and guided bone regeneration (GBR) for the treatment of small peri-implant buccal bone dehiscences over a 3-year follow-up, in terms of profilometric contour change, peri-implant parameters and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Material and methods: Patients presenting with small buccal bone dehiscences (≤ 3 mm) after single implant placement were included. Defect sites were randomly treated with either SCTG or GBR, while five patients without dehiscences served as a negative control group. All patients received an implant crown and were followed for 3 years. Profilometric measurements, marginal bone levels, peri-implant parameters, and PROMs were recorded at baseline, 1, and 3 years. Data were analyzed descriptively.