Diego Bianchelli

A 55 years-old patient presented with an edentolous area at the position #36, with hard and soft tissues deficiency. After clinical examination and radiographic evaluation it was decided to proceed with an implant placement because of the level of the bone, the lack of contraindications and the patient’s request. Unfavorable local conditions of the alveolar ridge due to atrophy or periodontal disease may provide a defect in terms of bone volume, an aspect that could compromise the long-term survival of the implant or the esthetic and functional purpose of the implant; an horizontal defect may result in a dehiscence or a fenestration, potentially exposing part of the implant itself. For this reason it was also decided to perform a connective tissue graft harvested from the palate and de epithelialized extra orally, that could augment the soft tissues, preventing a potential dehiscence. The use of transmucosal implants is useful for displacing the implant–abutment connection away from the bone crest. This reduces bone resorption and makes hygiene maintenance easier both for the patient and the dental hygienist. In this case it was chosen a Straumann Standard transmucosal implant of 10-mm length and a diameter of 4.1 mm, with a 2.8 mm neck. Considering the hard and soft tissues deficiencies and the presence of at least 2 mm of KT, there was the indication for the transmucosal implant placement with submarginal CTG procedure, as described in 2016 by professor Martina Stefanini.

Dr. Diego Bianchelli, DDS, graduated in Dentistry in 2020 from the University of Bologna with a thesis entitled “Implant soft tissue dehiscence coverage esthetic score: an intra- and inter-rater reliability study”. He works in private practice and as Clinical Tutor at the International Master of the University of Bologna “Soft tissue management around teeth and implants”, directed by Prof. Zucchelli. He is currently a PhD student at the Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences of the University of Bologna.