Effects of socket-shield therapy on inter-implant papilla preservation between upper central and lateral incisors: A case series with 3–5 year follow-up

Abstract

Objective: Despite significant progress within implant prosthetic therapy, preserving the papilla between two adjacent implants in the esthetic zone, particularly between central and lateral incisors, remains challenging. This case series aims to report a papilla preservation approach between adjacent upper central-lateral incisor implants using the socket-shield technique. Clinical Considerations: Six patients with natural dentition received unilateral adjacent central-lateral incisor implants with different socket shield configurations. The esthetic outcomes were clinically assessed after 3–5 years of follow-up. Post-operative papilla fill was evaluated on intraoral images compared to baseline characteristics and the contralateral papilla. Papilla height was preserved in all cases, with minimal alterations observed. Conclusions: Within the limitations of the present case series, the socket-shield technique demonstrated favorable outcomes in preserving the papilla between adjacent upper central-lateral incisor implants in the midterm follow-up. Clinical studies are warranted to validate these results. Clinical Significance: The socket-shield technique seems promising in preserving the inter-implant papilla between adjacent central-lateral incisor implants.