Treatment of Small Peri‐Implant Buccal Dehiscence Defects With SCTG or GBR : 3‐Year Results of a Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) and guided bone regeneration (GBR) for the treatment of small peri-implant buccal bone dehiscences over a 3-year follow-up, in terms of profilometric contour change, peri-implant parameters and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients presenting with small buccal bone dehiscences (≤ 3 mm) after single implant placement were included. Defect sites were randomly treated with either SCTG or GBR, while five patients without dehiscences served as a negative control group. All patients received an implant crown and were followed for 3 years. Profilometric measurements, marginal bone levels, peri-implant parameters, and PROMs were recorded at baseline, 1, and 3 years. Data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: A total of 16 patients were available for the 3-year follow-up (SCTG, n = 5; GBR, n = 6; negative control, n = 5). Both augmentation approaches maintained stable buccal soft-tissue contours. At 1 mm below the mucosal margin, the median buccal contour change was 0.19 mm (Q1: -0.28; Q3: 0.29) in the SCTG group and 0.11 mm (Q1: -0.20; Q3: 0.30) in the GBR group. At 3 mm below the mucosal margin, the corresponding median contour changes were 0.05 mm (Q1: -0.36; Q3: 0.31) for SCTG and -0.05 mm (Q1: -0.22; Q3: 0.07) for GBR. Peri-implant clinical parameters (probing depth, bleeding on probing, and plaque) remained stable, indicating maintained peri-implant health in both groups. Marginal bone levels were preserved throughout the observation period and oral health-related quality of life remained high and comparable between the SCTG and GBR groups. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this pilot study, both SCTG and GBR were associated with stable buccal contour conditions and favorable peri-implant health over a 3-year follow-up period. These findings were observed under adequate self-performed plaque control and adherence to supportive care. Adequately powered RCTs are needed to confirm these findings.