Impact of vertical alveoloplasty on changes in keratinized mucosa width following full‐arch immediate implant placement and rehabilitations: A prospective case series

Abstract Purpose This prospective case series aimed to investigate the effect of vertical alveoloplasty on the changes in keratinized mucosa width (KMW) following full‐arch immediate implant placement and rehabilitation. Materials and Methods A total of 17 potential edentulous patients were enrolled and received implant placement and full‐arch implant‐supported immediate rehabilitations. The main outcome was to analyze the effect of vertical alveoloplasty on the changes in KMW. The amount of vertical alveoloplasty during implant surgery as well as the changes in KMW at buccal aspects from the day of surgery to 6 months post‐surgery were recorded on the implant‐level using a periodontal probe. The secondary outcome was to analyze the other possible factors that affected the changes in KMW. The included factors were the initial KMW, the distribution of implants in the maxilla and mandible, the distribution of implants in the anterior and posterior regions, the distribution of implants in extraction sockets and healed ridges, and gender. Mann‐Whitney non‐parametric tests and multiple linear regression adjusted by generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to statistically analyze the data. Results A total of 121 implant positions were analyzed. The KMW was 4.1± 2.0 mm on the day of the surgery and 4.1± 1.7 mm 6 months post‐surgery. The mean changes in KMW following 6 months were −0.1± 1.6 mm ( p = 0.824). From the results of GEE, the vertical amount of alveoloplasty had no significant effect on changes in KMW. Both initial KMW and the distribution of implants in the anterior and posterior regions had significant impacts on the changes in KMW ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion The amount of vertical alveoloplasty during implant surgery has no significant impact on the KMW. The KMW remained stable from baseline to 6 months after alveoloplasty, implant placement, and immediate rehabilitations in potential edentulous arches. The initial KMW and the distribution of implants in the anterior and posterior regions were the possible factors affecting changes in KMW.