Significance of Keratinized Mucosa in Maintenance of Dental Implants With Different Surfaces

Authors:
  • JSJeffrey L. Shotwell
    Jeffrey L. Shotwell
  • CMCarl E. Misch
    Carl E. Misch
  • HWHom‐Lay Wang
    Hom‐Lay Wang
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Abstract
Background: The need for keratinized mucosa (KM) or immobile keratinized mucosa (i.e., attached mucosa [AM]) for the maintenance of osseointegrated endosseous dental implants has been controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the significance of KM in the maintenance of root‐form dental implants with different surfaces.Methods: A total of 339 endosseous dental implants in place for at least 3 years in 69 patients were evaluated. The width of KM and AM, modified plaque index (mPI), gingival index (GI), modified bleeding index (mBI), probing depth (PD), and average annual bone loss (ABL) were measured clinically and radiographically by a masked examiner. Based on the amounts of KM or AM, implants were categorized as follows: 1) KM P P P Conclusions: The absence of adequate KM or AM in endosseous dental implants, especially in posterior implants, was associated with higher plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation but not with more ABL, regardless of their surface configurations. Randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to confirm the results obtained in this retrospective clinical study.

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