Impact of mucosal phenotype on marginal bone levels around tissue level implants: A prospective controlled trial

Background The aim of this 1‐year prospective clinical trial was to compare clinical parameters and marginal bone levels (MBLs) around tissue level implants with a partially smooth collar between patients with thin (≤2 mm) and thick (>2 mm) vertical mucosal phenotypes. Methods Thirty patients needing a single dental implant were recruited and allocated to thin (n = 14) or thick (n = 16) phenotype groups. Post‐restoration, clinical (probing depth, recession, width of keratinized mucosa, bleeding on probing, suppuration, implant mobility, plaque index, and gingival index) and radiographic bone level measurements were recorded at different timepoints for 1 year. Results Twenty‐six patients (13 per group) completed the 1‐year examination. No implants were lost (100% survival rate). There were no significant differences (P >0.05) between thin and thick vertical mucosal phenotypes for any clinical parameter or for the radiographic MBL. Conclusions Tissue level implants at 1 year of function placed in thin vertical mucosa achieved similar clinical parameters and radiographic MBLs as those in thick tissue. The formation of the peri‐implant supracrestal tissue height plays a key role in MBL than mucosal thickness in tissue level implant.