Assessment of the influence of soft tissue biotype on the marginal bone changes around dental implants

Background: Changes in peri-implant hard and soft tissues, as well as restorative and patient-based subjective measures are the most widely used parameters for evaluating the outcomes of implant therapy. The present study was conducted to assess the influence of soft tissue biotype on the marginal bone changes around dental implants. Materials & Methods: 58 patients who received dental implants of both genders were included. In all patients, initial mucosal thickness, marginal bone levels on radiographs, pain, and exudation were evaluated. All these parameters were recorded at the time of implant placement, at the time of cementation of final restoration, 6 months and 12 months post cementation. Results: Out of 58 patients, males were 20 and females were 38. The mean mucosal thickness at baseline, second stage, at cementation, 6 months and 12 months was 2.82, 1.90, 1.54, 2.62 and 3.42 in thick mucosa and 1.65, 0.84, 0.69, 1.14 and 1.62 at thin mucosa. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The mean pocket depth at cementation was 2.52, at 6 months was 3.20 and at 12 months was 3.24 in thick and 2.12 at cementation, 3.10 at 6 months and 3.16 at 12 months in thin biotype respectively.