Objective: This pilot, prospective interventional study aimed to analyze the influence of supracrestal tissue height when using the one abutment–one time concept at the time of implant placement, on peri-implant hard and soft tissue remodeling in esthetic areas. The definitive crown was placed 7 days later.
Method and materials: Facial mucosal margin position, mesial and distal papilla levels, and mesial and distal marginal bone loss were assessed after 7 days (placement of the definitive crown), and 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after implant placement. Patients were classified according to the supracrestal tissue height as thin (< 3 mm) and thick (≥ 3 mm).
Results: Fifteen patients fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the study. Eight presented a thick supracrestal tissue height and seven a thin supracrestal tissue height. After 12 months, the implant success rate was 100%. The mean recession at the facial mucosal margin position was −0.47 ± 0.57 mm and −0.19 ± 0.41 mm in thin and thick groups, respectively (P = .29). The mean mesial papilla level recession was −0.19 ± 0.06 mm in the thin group and −0.01 ± 0.07 mm in the thick group (P < .01), and the mean distal papilla level recession was −0.15 ± 0.09 mm in the thin group and 0.00 ± 0.15 mm in the thick group (P < .05). The mean bone loss was −0.21 ± 0.18 mm and −0.04 ± 0.14 mm in the thin and thick groups, respectively (P < .05).
Conclusion: Single maxillary anterior implants with thin supracrestal tissue height (< 3 mm) at the time of implant placement had greater bone loss and papillary recession than implants with a thick soft tissue height (≥ 3 mm), even when using the one abutment–one time concept.