The Tunneled Coronally Advanced Flap for Vertical Soft Tissue Reconstruction and Papilla Augmentation at Implant Sites (Vertcaf)

• DOI: 10.11607/prd.7619
• Publication Date: 2025-04-08T18:56:35Z
• Authors: Lorenzo Tavelli; Samuel Akhondi; Maria Elisa Galar...; Leonardo Mancini; Alejandro Lanis; Shayan Barootchi
• Keywords: Major duodenal papilla

Soft tissue augmentation procedures are often needed at anterior dental implants to address esthetic concerns. The surgical techniques for vertical soft and papilla implant sites, their predictability, outcomes have recently gained popularity among clinicians meet patients' high demands. This study describes the application of tunneled coronally advanced flap reconstruction (verTCAF) treatment peri-implant dehiscences (PSTDs) characterized by loss. Twelve patients with isolated PSTD in region were consecutively enrolled treated verTCAF combination a connective graft. approach required temporary phase prior surgery. involved horizontal incision, opening one tooth more distal than site. region, including site interproximal tunneled. A graft (CTG) was inserted stabilized from lateral opening, where raised. After new least 3-4 months, cases finalized restorations. Patient- reported outcomes, clinical ultrasonographic measures collected over 1 year assess results procedure. One after intervention, subjects significant improvement esthetics (93.92 visual analogue scale points last visit). overall percentage black triangle reduction, compared baseline, 83.3%. mean coverage complete 92.78% 66.7%, respectively. average mesial gains 1.79 mm 1.46 mm, increase phenotype parameters observed, together substantial root gain natural dentition. present case series described promising + CTG PSTDs, exhibiting loss adjacent teeth midfacial recession.