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Evaluation of Hard and Soft Tissue Dimensions Around Zirconium Oxide Implant–Supported Crowns: A 1‐Year Retrospective Study
Author(s) -
Kniha Kristian,
Gahlert Michael,
Hicklin Stefan,
Brägger Urs,
Kniha Heinz,
Milz Stefan
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2015.150441
Subject(s) - interdental consonant , major duodenal papilla , dentistry , medicine , soft tissue , implant , calipers , materials science , radiography , orthodontics , biomedical engineering , anatomy , surgery , mathematics , geometry
Background: This study aims to evaluate the effect of the distance between the alveolar crest of a full‐ceramic implant to the lowest point of the contact area of the crowns on the interdental papilla. Therefore, the authors proposed a new concept of linear measurements for the reproducible and metric evaluation of distances relevant for the assessment of hard and soft tissue changes around dental implants. Methods: A total of 216 sites were examined in 87 patients. In a radiographic and clinical evaluation, four relevant distances were evaluated. In the x‐ray image, the tip of the papilla was marked with a radiodense mixture of tungsten powder and temporary cement. In a clinical photograph, the lowest point of the interdental contact zone of the crowns was visualized by a metallic interdental ligature. Results: Using the proposed measuring methodology, four different papilla‐deficit situations around ceramic implants could be reproducibly distinguished. When the measurement from the bone crest at the implant was ≤5 mm, the papilla was completely present in 100% of cases. When this distance was 10 mm, the papilla was still present in 67% of the cases, without any cosmetically apparent deficit. Conclusions: A close relationship is observed between the distance from the contact point to the bone and the presence of the papilla. Using a combination of radiographically and clinically visible landmarks allows the reproducible measurement of these distances.