Soft Tissue Ridge Augmentation Around Implant Using Modified Pouch Approach: A Case Report

Common clinical findings around dental implants are hard and soft tissue defects requiring interventions for functional and aesthetic purposes. Interventions include hard as well as soft tissue augmentation. Present case management included subepithelial connective tissue grafting with modification of lateral pouch graft procedure, avoiding the vertical incisions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of this modified procedure. A 24-year-old female patient was referred by the prosthodontist for soft tissue augmentation after implant placement with respect to #24. With the consent of patient, subepithelial connective tissue graft was placed using modified lateral pouch graft procedure. Patient was evaluated at three months. Adequate soft tissue thickness was obtained with satisfactory results. This modified pouch graft procedure is expected to provide better aesthetic results. This procedure can be best utilised for small horizontal ridge defects. This is a novel approach for soft tissue augmentation without using vertical incisions thus providing better aesthetic results. Further studies are suggested regarding the long term success of the procedure.