PubMed-ID: 19146058Seiten: 617-623, Sprache: Englischde Melo, Luiz Gustavo Nascimento / Ciporkin, Frederico / Neto, José Sérgio Maia / de Almeida, Ana Lúcia Pompéia Fraga / Lopes, José Fernando Scarelli / Figueiredo, Caio Márcio / Nagata, Maria José HitomiThis case report describes a technique that uses a palatal mucosal graft and an acrylic resin postoperative stent in an attempt to increase the layer of keratinized tissue around osseointegrated implants in an atrophic mandible. During secondstage surgery, a split-thickness labial flap is reflected and apically repositioned by being sutured onto the periosteum and connective tissue. A palatal mucosal graft is then sutured onto the recipient site. The stent is worn for at least 4 weeks following surgery. This procedure helps to eliminate mobility of the mucosa in the area, deepen the vestibule, and prevent muscle reinsertion.