Mahdi Kadkhodazadeh
Reza Amid
Mehdi Ekhlasmand Kermani
Mahdieh Mirakhori

Survival of dental implants depends on several factors; sofl tissue (ST) management around dental implants is one of the foremnost. Several studics have suggested techniques for ST management around dental implants, but none of them has discussed a suitable timetable for this process. This study aimed to review published articles related to the timing of ST management around dental implants and suggest a customized treatment protocol. A scarch of the PubMed database was conducted; the scarch was limited to English-language articles published from January 1995 to July 2015 with available full tcxts. Only in vivo studies and clinical trials in relation to the terms soft tissue management, management timing, keratinized mucosa, free gingival graft, comective lissue gras, soll tissue, augmentation, and dental implant were included. A total of 492 articles were reviewed, and eventually 42 articles were thoroughly evaluated. Those with treatment protocols in terms of the timing of ST grasing were sclccted and classificd. ST management around dental implants may be done prior to the surgical phase, after the surgical phase, before loading, or even after loading. A thick gingival biotype is more suitable for implant placement, providing more favorablc csthetic results. A treatment plan should be based on individual patient needs as well as the knowledge and experience of the clinician. The width and thickness of keratinized tissues, thc nccd for bonc management, and local risk factors that influence esthetic results determine the appropriate time for ST augmentation procedures.

connective tissue. dental implant. free gomgoval graft,keratinized mucosa,regeneration,soft tissue,