Soft tissue regeneration around immediate implant placement utilizing a platelet-rich fibrin membrane and without tightly flap closure: Two case reports

RATIONALE: In this report, a combination of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) membrane and semi-open flap technique was used to improve soft tissue regeneration in immediate implant placement in the molar region. PRF, an autologous fibrin matrix, has been widely used for soft tissue wound healing and regeneration. Semi-open flap technique is beneficial to eliminating exudates and relieving the swelling after surgery. PATIENT CONCERNS: Case 1 was a 45-year-old female with a residual crown in the posterior maxillary region that desired a dental implant operation. Case 2 was a 24-year-old male with retained deciduous tooth that requested a restoration of his congenital absent tooth. DIAGNOSES: In case 1, the tooth 16 was diagnosed with a residual crown, while in case 2, a deciduous tooth 75 was a retained deciduous tooth and 35 was congenital absent. INTERVENTIONS: In both cases, immediate implant placement was installed and PRF membranes were made to improve soft tissue augmentation with semi-open flap technique. In case 1, the mixture of an organic bovine bone and blood was filled in the gap between the implant and the socket wall. Subsequently, 2 PRF membranes covered the open wound with semi-open flap. Similarly, in case 2, another 2 PRF membranes were used to improve the soft tissue regeneration, with the same semi-open flap technique as mentioned above. OUTCOMES: In both cases, successfully soft tissue regeneration was obviously observed without postoperative infection. LESSONS: Utilizing the PRF membrane combined with semi-open flap technique can achieve excellent soft tissue augmentation around immediate implant placement in the molar regions.