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Implant esthetic complications can negatively affect a patient's perception of implant therapy and their quality of life. This article discusses the etiology, prevalence, and strategies for the treatment of peri-implant soft tissue dehiscences/deficiencies (PSTDs). Three common scenarios of implant esthetic complications were identified and described, in which PSTDs could be managed without removing the crown (scenario I), with the surgical-prosthetic approach (crown removal; scenario II), and/or with the horizontal and vertical soft tissue augmentation and submerged healing (scenario III).

Autogenous soft tissue grafting is a commonly performed procedure in periodontal and implant surgery. Reharvesting a connective tissue graft (CTG) from the same palatal donor site is often required, but little is known about the volumetric changes that occur after harvesting a free gingival graft and how long the palatal mucosa takes to regain its original form and thickness. This study evaluated the volumetric changes that occur at the palatal donor site after harvesting a soft tissue graft with a noninvasive digital technology. Nineteen patients needing a CTG for a single site were enrolled. Intraoral digital scans of the palatal donor sites were obtained at baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The digital scans were imported and analyzed with an imaging software to evaluate volumetric changes. Average volume losses of 5.82 ± 2.63 mm³ and 11.03 ± 5.47 mm³ were observed after 1 and 3 months, respectively. Only minor changes were observed at 6 and 12 months. Linear dimensional changes at 5 and 7 mm from the gingival margin were substantially higher than the changes at 3 mm for the 1- and 3-month interval comparisons compared to baseline. Graft dimension was associated with volume loss at 1 and 3 months (P < .01). After palatal harvesting, the donor site undergoes volumetric changes, mostly during the first 3 months, and is attenuated thereafter.