Natural teeth-retained splint based on a patient-specific 3D-printed mandible used for implant surgery and vestibuloplasty

RATIONALE With respect to improving the quality of oral rehabilitation, the management of keratinized mucosa is as important as bone condition for implant success. To enhance this management, a natural teeth-retained splint based on a patient-specific 3-dimensional (3D) printed mandible was used in vestibuloplasty to provide sufficient keratinized mucosa around dental implants to support long-term implant maintenance. PATIENT CONCERNS A 28-year-old male patient had a fracture of the anterior andible 1 year ago, and the fracture was treated with titanium. DIAGNOSES The patient had lost mandibular incisors on both the sides and had a shallow vestibule and little keratinized mucosa. INTERVENTIONS In the first-stage implant surgery, 2 implants were inserted and the titanium fracture fixation plates and screws were removed at the same time. During second-stage implant surgery, vestibuloplasty was performed, and the natural teeth-retained splint was applied. The splint was made based upon a patient-specific 3D-printed mandible. At 30-day follow-up, the splint was modified and reset. The modified splint was removed after an additional 60 days, and the patient received prosthetic treatment. OUTCOMES After prosthetic treatment, successful oral rehabilitation was achieved. Within 1 year and 3 years after implant prosthesis finished, the patient exhibited a good quantity of keratinized gingiva. LESSONS SUBSECTIONS The proposed splint is a simple and time-effective technique for correcting soft tissue defects in implant dentistry that ensures a good quantity of keratinized mucosa.