Enhancing the zone of keratinized tissue around implants

Presence or absence of a minimal zone of keratinized tissue around dental implants has been a matter of controversy. However, a consensus exists that a thick zone of keratinized zone around implants provides a prosthetic friendly environment, facilitates precise prosthetic procedures, allows oral hygiene maintenance, resists recession, and enhances esthetic blending. The aim of the present case series was to increase the zone of keratinized soft tissue around dental implants supporting overdentures. Three different surgical techniques modified palatal roll technique with and without apical positioning and connective tissue graft (CTG) were used to achieve this goal. There was a significant gain of keratinized soft tissue with all the three techniques, which remained stable over a period of 6 months. Modified palatal roll technique with and without apical positioning and CTG are simpler surgical techniques, which can be successfully and predictably used for increasing the zone of keratinized tissue around implants.