Changes in Hard and Soft Tissue During the First 6 Months After Immediate Implant Placement and Provisionalization of a Single Anterior Maxillary Incisor: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background: To evaluate changes in hard and soft tissue during the first 6 months after immediate implant placement and provisionalization (IIPP) of a single maxillary incisor.Methods: Failed maxillary incisors were replaced with IIP implants in 34 patients. Intraoral scans and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) were performed before and 6 months after IIPP. Changes in soft tissue thickness, soft tissue contour, and hard tissue contour were measured by a three-dimensional superimposition method. The correlations of hard and soft tissue contour changes were assessed.Results: A total of 31 patients completed the study. Soft tissue contour tended to collapse after 6 months. Soft tissue was significantly thickened 1–3 mm below the gingival margin. Correlation analysis showed strong correlations between the hard and soft tissue contour changes at 0–5 mm apical to the implant platform. The mid-facial recession at 6 months was −0.46 ± 0.55 mm.Conclusions: Soft tissue contour collapsed after tooth extraction, regardless of IIPP. Both soft and hard tissue change affected the soft tissue contour change.