Transferring the Emergence Profile of Single-Tooth Implant Restorations

QDT 2004 uccessful osseointegration and function have traditionally been the main goals of implant therapy. However, successful osseointegration does not automatically lead to an optimal esthetic result, and inadequate treatment planning may severely compromise the esthetic result regardless of biologic and functional integration. Exact replication of the natural dentition, maintenance of a harmonious soft and hard tissue architecture, and imperceptible integration of the final implant prosthesis are among the challenges of modern implant dentistry. Provisional implant-supported restorations play a key role in achieving those goals, and many techniques have been described to maximize the appearance of the tissues around implants through alteration of the provisional restoration. The ideal emergence profile and morphology of the peri-implant soft tissues should be determined during the preprosthetic laboratory phase and then modified chairside. A proper impression technique is key for an accurate transfer of the peri-implant tissue contour from the patient’s mouth to the definitive cast. This article describes three techniques to transfer the peri-implant soft tissues in different clinical scenarios that are common in daily practice: (1) transfer of the original emergence profile established with a provisional restoration to the final restoration; (2) transfer of a modified emergence profile established through subsequent modification of a provisional restoration to the definitive restoration; and (3) transfer of the natural emergence profile to the final restoration for immediate implant placement.