Eric van Dooren: Optimizing soft tissue outcomes: achieving long-term success in dental implant treatment

The lecture reviews the parameters for soft tissue evaluation and clinical procedures for soft tissue conditioning, with both non-surgical and surgical techniques. To get sufficient information for proper planning it is important to make use of comprehensive diagnostic tools, like tomograms, initial wax-up, patient photos etc. Dr van Dooren explains that soft tissue stability and thickness endorse long-term bone stability and that soft tissue esthetics and condition take time and improve with time. Dr van Dooren highlights the importance of connective tissue grafts for sufficient soft tissue volume and the importance of minimizing crestal bone compression by appropriate implant design, and reviews the influence of different abutment construction types, materials and designs on soft tissue appearance and contour.