Soft Tissue Augmentation for Implant Esthetics

Abstract
Augmenting soft tissue is sometimes necessary to predict the final esthetic outcome of the treatment. For example, to obtain enough soft tissue to recreate the papillae can be a problem. The loss of the alveolar ridge, the quality and quantity of available soft tissue, and the needs for future ridge augmentation are all factors that can influence the esthetic outcome. Soft tissue augmentation procedures can be performed prior to, after, or together with hard tissue augmentation, at stage 1 and/or stage 2 surgery. Soft tissue augmentation in different directions (coronally, buccally, or both) may be required depending upon the anatomy of the alveolar ridge. This course discussed, in-depth, the final esthetic results as related to the many influencing factors.