Radiographic Evaluation of a Star-shaped Incision Technique

Radiographic Evaluation of a Star-shaped Incision Technique for Thick-gingiva and Thin-gingiva Patients Treated With Implant-supported Fixed Prosthesis: a Randomized Trial

To evaluate a star-shaped incision technique to thick-gingiva and thingingiva patients treated with implant-supported fixed prosthesis. The star-shaped incision would be an effective and simple method to reconstruct gingival papillae and avoid the gingival recession in thick-gingiva patients treated with implant-supported fixed prosthesis, and it is worthy of clinical extend.

Objective: To evaluate a star-shaped incision technique to thick-gingiva and thin-gingiva patients treated with implant-supported fixed prosthesis. Methods and Materials: 24 patients received cross-shaped incision were assigned into thick-gingiva group (16 cases) and thin-gingiva group (8 cases). Follow-up examination was carried out 3 and 12 months after final restoration. Clinical and radiographic evaluation including gingival papilla height, modified plaque index, modified sulcus bleeding index, periodontal depth, and crestal marginal bone level were utilized.

Inclusion criteria

1. Good general health, no chronic systemic diseases.
2. All subjects included in this study needed to have one missing premolar or molar teeth with adjacent natural teeth.
3. All subjects included in this study had been treated with one bone-level implant insertion in the premolar or molar region. The patients had insufficient gingival papilla height (referred to contralateral natural tooth which also had insufficient gingival papilla height) and at least 2 mm of keratinized tissue width around the implant.

Exclusion criteria

1. Active periodontal infections.
2. Heavy smoking (> 10 cigarettes per day).