A Three-arm Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Transmucosal Augmentation Techniques in Immediate Implant Placement

A pouch is made in the buccal mucosa extending 3 mm below the buccal bone crest. Thereupon, a free gingival graft is harvested from the palatal mucosa and de-epithelialized. The CTG is brought into the pouch and fixed with two single sutures onto the buccal mucosa. A healing abutment is installed, which is replaced by a provisional implant crown 2 days later. Sutures are removed 1 week after the surgery.

No pouch is made in the recipient site. A free gingival graft is harvested from the palatal mucosa and de-epithelialized. The small CTG is fixed at the transmucosal aspect onto the buccal mucosa. A healing abutment is installed, which is replaced by a provisional implant crown 2 days later. Sutures are removed 1 week after the surgery.

DBBM is applied and condensed up to the level of the buccal soft tissue margin. A healing abutment is installed, which is replaced by a provisional implant crown 2 days later. Usually, sutures are not needed in this group, unless minimal papilla opening was required to extract the tooth. In that case, sutures will be removed after 1 week.