The impact of the horizontal distance between two adjacent implants inserted in the anterior maxilla on the inter-implant mucosa fill

Today, the aesthetic results of implant placement have emerged as a critical factor in determining the overall success of a treatment. The presence and size of the interproximal papilla, which are frequently measured using various classification scores, are important factors.

The growth of the peri-implant papilla next to a single implant has been shown to be primarily influenced by the integrity of the attachment level of the neighboring tooth and the marginal bone level. On the other hand, between two implants, the complete fill of the inter-implant mucosa is much more difficult and still regarded as unpredictable.

Previous clinical studies have suggested a connection between the horizontal distance between two adjacent implants and the inter-implant mucosa fill.

According to the available studies, a precise value for the ideal horizontal distance between two adjacent implants cannot be determined. However, there is a propensity for implants positioned at a distance of 3 mm to have a higher risk of having insufficient inter-implant mucosa fill.

References

Ramanauskaite, A,  Roccuzzo, A,  Schwarz, F.  A systematic review on the influence of the horizontal distance between two adjacent implants inserted in the anterior maxilla on the inter-implant mucosa fill. Clin Oral Impl Res.  2018; 29(Suppl. 15): 62–70. https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.13103.

Cosyn, J., Raes, M., Packet, M., Cleymaet, R., & De Bruyn, H. (2013). Disparity in embrasure fill and papilla height between tooth- and implant-borne fixed restorations in the anterior maxilla: a cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical Periodontology,  40, 728–733. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.12116.

Jo, D.W., Yi, Y.J., Kwon, M.J., & Kim, Y.K. (2014). Correlation between interimplant distance and crestal bone loss in internal connection implants with platform switching. International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants,  29,  296–302 https://doi.org/10.11607/jomi.3141.