One of the possible complications after dental implant placement is gum recession. When the volume of the mucosa decreases, the gum shifts, which may lead to exposure of the tooth neck and create an unesthetic appearance.
Interesting fact: gums can only exist around a tooth; when the tooth is missing, the surrounding soft tissue is called the mucosa.
Typically, in the area of implant placement, the mucosa becomes thin. In rare cases (when the tissue remains thick), a small gum graft taken from the palate in the molar region should be transplanted at the time of implant placement.
Proper surgical planning — including calculation of graft length, width, and thickness — as well as microsurgical incision techniques and fine suturing, ensures a successful, painless procedure with long-term predictable results.
Usually, a second surgery is not required, and the soft tissues provide reliable functional and aesthetic protection for the implant.
