Volumetric Calculation of Supraimplant Submergence Profile After Soft Tissue Conditioning with a Provisional Restoration

The objective of this study was to digitally analyze the emergence profile changes before and after soft tissue conditioning with fixed-implant provisional restorations. Impressions were taken with individualized posts to build casts for 20 patients. Optical scanning of the modulated mucosa was performed from the model situations in combination with the original healing abutments. Emergence profile extension revealed a mean volume of 41.9 mm3 for central sites and 25.8 mm3 for laterals. In addition, linear calculations of supraimplant mucosal profile changes presented a median enlargement of 8.2 mm in the mesial-distal and 7.2 mm in the buccal-lingual direction for central incisors and 6.8 mm (mesial-distal) and 6.5 mm (buccal-lingual) for lateral incisors. The change was more than double compared with the initial profile of the healing abutments.