Pouch Roll Technique for Implant Soft Tissue Augmentation: A Variation of the Modified Roll Technique

This paper presents three cases of peri-implant mucosal defects that were successfully treated with a newly proposed "pouch roll" implant soft tissue augmentation technique. This procedure uses a de-epithelialized connective tissue layer during the first or second stage of implant surgery over the underlying dental implant without the need for sutures. At 2 weeks, healing was remarkable, with excellent plaque control. At 3 months, only minimal tissue shrinkage was evident. As a result, a 2- to 3-mm increase in the width of the keratinized tissue was noted around the augmented implant site. This technique is an atraumatic, versatile, and cost-effective surgical modality that enhances the peri-implant soft tissue over the ridge with a soft tissue thickness >= 3 mm. The pouch roll implant soft tissue augmentation procedure provides an easy and less traumatic correction of a mild to moderate buccal ridge deficiency by thickening the soft tissue around the dental implant.