Retrospective case series analysis of vestibuloplasty with free gingival graft and titanium mesh around dental implant.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this paper is to introduce an effective technique to easily obtain adequate amounts of keratinized gingiva and vestibular depth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Free gingiva (vertical height 10 mm) was harvested on the palatal mucosa and a partial thickness flap was elevated on the recipient site with same width as the free gingiva graft. After a conventional suture, a titanium mesh covered the graft and was fixed with miniscrews. Titanium mesh was removed 4.1±2.5 weeks after surgery. The amount of keratinized gingiva and vestibular depth was measured at the final follow-up.

RESULTS

Nine patients (males 4, females 5; 53.9±14.1 years) who underwent bone graft surgery before vestibuloplasty were included. No free gingival graft failure or complications were encountered in any of the patients. The relapse rate for vestibular depth (23.3%) was lower than that for keratinized gingiva (48.3%) after 34.4±14.4 months (=0.010).

CONCLUSION

Vestibuloplasty with a free gingival graft using titanium mesh could be achieved with an acceptable amount of keratinized gingiva and an appropriate vestibular depth around dental implant.