Influence of Mucosal Tissue Thickness on Peri-Implant Bone Stability: Retrospective Radiological Study

Gradual bone loss around the implants is an ongoing concern. Mucosal tissue thickness is considered as a contributing factor that influences bone remodelling after implantation. It has been suggested that tissue thickness thinner than 2.5 mm may contribute to more peri-implant bone loss, eventually affecting implant bone stability. Measuring mucosal thickness prior to surgery may be a predictor of the bone changes and could modify the surgical methods. In this study mucosal tissue thickness was measured retrospectively on radiographs before implant insertion, one year and at least three years after implantation. Within the limits of this study, no influence of initial mucosal tissue thickness on long term peri-implant bone stability was found.