Mucogingival prosthetic approach to treat implant failure in the esthetic area: clinical considerations and digital analysis

Soft tissue augmentation techniques have become crucial to improve tissue volume and quality in periodontal and peri-implant dental surgery. A clinician's knowledge of the principle of flap design and management is a key aspect for treatment success, particularly in the esthetic area. Implant failures in the esthetic area are one of the most challenging situations in modern dentistry, and often cases have to be resolved through multidisciplinary treatments in which soft tissue management and patient selection are substantial aspects. Ridge defects are commonly treated with bone regeneration-like techniques in order to place implants. However, in young patients, where implant treatment should be carefully selected, fixed prosthetic restorations in combination with mucogingival surgery could be a successful option to enhance esthetics. The present case report describes a treatment approach for implant failure in the esthetic area in young patients, consisting of a combination of connective tissue platform technique, resective surgery, and a Maryland bridge restoration.