Laser Assisted Gingival Tissue Procedures
Soft tissue lasers are increasing in popularity among clinicians in part due to their potential value in preprosthetic gingival procedures. The ability of soft tissue lasers to control moisture and facilitate hemostasis appears particularly promising for clinicians excising gingival tissues, performing esthetic crown lengthening, and using resective techniques for gingival troughing—and these applications will grow as practitioners become more familiar with such technologies. This presentation highlights…

Labial Bone Thickness in Area of Anterior Maxillary Implants Associated with Crestal Labial Soft Tissue Thickness
Soft tissue problems (ie, gingival recessions) are common in implantology and are often associated with thin soft tissue biotypes or buccally placed implants. Goaslind described 2 types of biotypes commonly found in the natural dentition: thick and thin. It has been suggested that thicker soft tissue biotypes are associated with less tissue recession, higher crestal bone levels, and better aesthetics. A thin tissue biotype has been shown to be more prone to tissue recession. Gingival recession is always associated with alveolar bone dehiscences. Furthermore, there is evidence that thick soft tissue may be protective against crestal bone loss (ie, tissue thickness of ,2.5 mm resulted in crestal bone loss of 1.45 mm vs. thicker tissues had 0.26 mm). This protective effect occurred, despite the supracrestal position of the implant-abutment interface.

A Decade of the Socket-Shield Technique: A Step-by-Step Partial Extraction Therapy Protocol
Ten years have passed since Hürzeler and coworkers first introduced the socket-shield technique. Much has developed and evolved with regard to partial extraction therapy, a collective concept of utilizing the patient’s own tooth root to preserve the periodontium and peri-implant tissue. The specifications, steps, instrumentation, and procedures discussed in this article are the result of extensive experience in refining the socket-shield technique as we know it today. A repeatable, predictable protocol is requisite to providing tooth replacement in esthetic dentistry. Moreover, a standardized protocol provides a better framework for clinicians to report data relating to the technique with procedural consistency. This article aims to illustrate a reproducible, step-by-step protocol for the socket- shield technique at immediate implant placement and provisionalization for single-rooted teeth.

Current Biological Trends in Aesthetic Periodontology
How Communication among specialists can optimize periodontal plastic procedures in esthetic and implant therapy.

The Lingually Positioned Flap For Full Arch Soft Tissue Management
One of the least understood and poorly managed aspects of soft tissue management of the implant patient is the lack of keratinized tissues on the lingual aspect of the ridge. This presentation specifically addresses this issue and describes a very useful and predictable flap and grafting approach to address this common shortcoming of treatment. The Lingually Positioned Flap in combination with vestibuloplasty and free gingival grafting will be highlighted and described.

Maximizing Esthetics with Minimally Invasive Surgery Around Implants
Soft tissue deficiencies around implants impact esthetics and often lead to escalating problems. Early recognition and intervention with minimally invasive soft tissue surgery reduces the risk of undesirable sequellae associated with conventional surgical approaches around implants. The application of a minimally invasive soft tissue grafting method will be shown for treatment of soft tissue problems around implants and the indications for use of this technique will be outlined.

Esthetic Tissue Reconstruction Around Implants - Part 1 of 2
Esthetics in implant-supported restorations is an important clinical objective in contemporary dentistry. Understanding the biological behavior of hard and soft tissues following tooth extraction is the first step to anticipate the physiological tissue remodeling and its consequences. Our objective in these 2 sequencial lectures was to provide straightforward decision trees related to several clinical scenarios observed in routine clinical practice. The 3 fundamental pillars for peri-implant excellence are: restorative-driven implant position, hard and soft tissue reconstruction using different biomaterials and grafts, and prosthetic management. Using this philosophical approach seems to provide esthetic and stable results over time irrespective of the initial clinical condition.

Acellular Dermal Grafts in the Correction of Gingival Recession: Discovering the Possibilities
In this presentation, follow the evolution of root coverage surgery from autogenous grafts to the more contemporary alternatives of today.

Esthetic Tissue Reconstruction Around Implants - Part 2 of 2
Esthetics in implant-supported restorations is an important clinical objective in contemporary dentistry. Understanding the biological behavior of hard and soft tissues following tooth extraction is the first step to anticipate the physiological tissue remodeling and its consequences. Our objective in these 2 sequential lectures was to provide straightforward decision trees related to several clinical scenarios observed in routine clinical practice. The 3 fundamental pillars for peri-implant excellence are: restorative-driven implant position, hard and soft tissue reconstruction using different biomaterials and grafts, and prosthetic management. Using this philosophical approach seems to provide esthetic and stable results over time irrespective of the initial clinical condition.