FCE6: Soft Tissue Grafting at Teeth vs Implants: Same Game, Same Outcomes?
Presenters
Description
The coronally advanced flap (CAF) was first described 25 years ago as a root coverage procedure for multiple gingival recessions. Over time, the technique has evolved and is now commonly applied to treat single recessions. More recently, the coronally advanced flap has also become an important tool in the management of peri-implant soft tissues.
Tunnel techniques have gained popularity over the years and have been applied to correct soft tissue deformities in natural dentition and at implant sites. Intrasulcular tunneling, apical tunneling, and the novel tunnel coronally advanced flap will be reviewed in detail through scientific literature and clinical cases.
This lecture will focus on both prosthetic and surgical approaches utilizing CAF to address peri-implant buccal soft tissue defects and will also discuss the tunnel approaches for treating gingival recession, along with their related modifications when correcting peri-implant soft tissue dehiscences.
Educational Objectives
- Understand the biological principles underlying the CAF technique, with particular emphasis on the complete coverage of the connective tissue graft (CTG) beneath the flap to enhance aesthetics and soft tissue thickness.
- Describe the integration of prosthetic and surgical strategies using CAF to manage and resolve peri-implant esthetic deficiencies.
- Review conventional and novel tunnel approaches for soft tissue augmentation at teeth and implant sites.
- Understand the modification required by tunneling approaches when performing soft tissue augmentation at implant sites compared to natural dentition, and the role of the prosthetic presurgical and post-surgical phases on the outcome of soft tissue grafting.
CE Hours: 1.5
