Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the responses of peri-implant tissue in the presence of keratinized mucosa.
Materials and methods: In 90 patients, 308 implants were placed, and from the time of the delivery of the implant prosthesis, the average follow up period was 13.9 months. The study was evaluated by the aspect of gingival inflammation index (GI), plaque index (PI), the probing pocket depth, mucosal recession, crestal bone resorption, and the correlation of the width of keratinized mucosa with alveolar bone resorption, depending on diverse surface treatments of implants as well as the presence of bone graft.
Results: The width of keratinized mucosa was not associated with implant surface characteristics and bone grafting. There were no significant differences in gingival inflammation, plaque accumulation, and crestal bone loss according to the amount of keratinized mucosa. However, the amount of mucosal recession was statistically significant in the group of less keratinized mucosa.
Conclusion: The results indicated that the amount of keratinized mucosa around implant cannot be associated with the successful maintenance of implant, but keratinized mucosa might help keep good oral hygiene and prevent mucosal recession.
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