The Importance of Keratinized Gingiva Surrounding Dental Implants

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine i f kerat inized gingiva has an ef fect on the succes s of implants Materials and Methods: Sixty-nine implants were used in this study. The amount of kerat inized gingiva was measured and divided into two groups; less than 2mm and greater than 2mm. The amount of kerat inized gingiva was compared to cl inical parameters such as bleeding upon probing, redness, and pocket depths to determine whether implant success was related to the amount of kerat inized gingiva. Results: Chi square and regres sion analys i s were used to analyze the data. Al l implant s survived independent of the amount of kerat inized gingiva. Pat ients wi th les s than 2mm of kerat inized gingiva displayed increased bleeding upon probing and redness , which was stat ist ical ly signi f icant (p=0.023) , indicat ing increased inf lammat ion due to lack of kerat inized gingiva. Conclusion: Amount of kerat inized gingiva did not af fect the success rate of implant s . However , implants wi th les s than 2mm of kerat inized gingiva exhibi ted increased bleeding upon probing, redness, and inf lammat ion, which may cont r ibute to later fai lure.