Aesthetic problems related to dental implants in the aesthetic zone: A systematic review

Background

Patient satisfaction is a crucial indicator of a successful dental implant treatment. Attainment of an aesthetically acceptable final result is central to this success. Hence, the primary objective of this systematic review was to identify aesthetic concerns linked to dental implants within the aesthetic zone.

Methods

An electronic search was conducted on different databases such as PubMed, Medline, and Google Scholar using the key terms “tooth implant,” “anterior implant,” “dental implantation in the aesthetic zone,” and “aesthetic area implant. Following the elimination of duplicate articles and adherence to the inclusion criteria, 14 articles (five randomized clinical trials, four prospective clinical trials, four case series, and one pilot study) published between 2007 and 2020 were deemed suitable for this review.

Results

The selected studies highlighted several aesthetic issues, such as recession, marginal bone loss, gingival loss, and pink aesthetic scores related to dental implants placed in the aesthetic zone.

Conclusion

Addressing these challenges necessitates meticulous treatment planning, effective soft tissue management, regular follow-ups, patient education, expectation management, and collaborative efforts among specialists. A limitation of this systematic review is that it focused solely on studies conducted within a relatively short timeframe (2007–2020). However, it is essential to recognize that significant changes occurred in the treatment procedures and materials within the field during this period. These changes have resulted in notable variances in the treatment protocols utilized across studies, potentially affecting the generalizability of the findings.