Efficacy of soft tissue augmentation in the maxillary esthetic region: A 5‐year randomized controlled trial

Implant placement in case of a failing tooth is a favorable treatment option. However, since the extraction socket is often associated with a large bone defect, alveolar ridge preservation with bone grafts prior to implant placement is often needed. To compensate for possible soft tissue defects, the application of a CTG or an XCM has been proposed. The question has arisen whether the use of an XCM will give a better outcome than a CTG. Furthermore, are both soft tissue augmentation therapies accompanied by a better esthetic result than performing no soft tissue therapy at all? Therefore, a 5-year study was carried out in which 60 patients with a failing tooth in the frontal region of the upper jaw were treated with removal of the tooth and restoring the gap with bone graft and sealing the socket with mucosagraft from the tuberosity region. At the time of implant placement 5 months thereafter, 20 patients received a CTG, 20 patients received an XCM, and 20 patients no soft tissue therapy. After 5 years, it appeared that there was no difference between the 3 soft tissue treatment procedures. Thus, implant placement combined with soft tissue grafting in preserved alveolar ridges does not result in a better esthetic outcome.