Interimplant papilla preservation in the esthetic zone: a report of six consecutive cases

Simultaneous removal of multiple adjacent teeth in the anterior maxilla often leads to collapse of the labial bony plate as well as flattening of the interproximal bony scallop, resulting in long implant restorations with missing interimplant papillae. An interimplant papilla preservation technique involving alternate immediate implant placement and provisionalization, one following the osseointegration healing period of the other, was introduced. All 14 implants placed in six consecutive patients maintained osseointegration after a mean functioning time of 22.6 months (range 12 to 34 months). A highly satisfactory esthetic outcome and a papilla index score of 3 was observed in all patients.