Soft Tissue Management for Bone Augmentation

Bone augmentation for function and esthetics has moved from highly specialized clinics into the dental office. With the development of modern grafting materials, the volume of augmentation that can be achieved has consistently increased. However, the issue of soft tissue closure for high volume augmentation sites, especially in the posterior, remains a significant challenge. This course will focus on special flap designs and suturing techniques developed for specific sites to solve this ongoing soft tissue management problem. Participants will learn about site specific techniques through lecture and hands on exercises using pig jaws.

Day 1

• Step by step process for soft tissue tension free closure
• Tension free flap adaptation: multiple options
• Soft tissue suturing techniques: considerations for suturing with and without tension
• Adequate soft tissue manipulation for thin and thick biotype
• Methods to improve soft tissue thickness, gain soft tissue elasticity and create keratinized gingiva

Different tissue biotypes react differently to surgical trauma. Techniques for adapting the surgical approach to the biotype (tissue thickness) specific to each patient and location in the oral cavity will be addressed.

Day 2

• Sinus lift
• Soft tissue management for sinus lift
• Maxillary bone augmentation utilizing a palatal sliding flap
• Mandibular bone augmentation using:
  • PPF: Periosteal Pocket Flap (PPF)
  • VBF: Versatile Buccal Flap (VBF)
  • Steipod

Tissue thickness dictates the way tissue is manipulated for high volume augmentation. Thick biotypes can be managed in a classical manner. Thin biotypes require new surgical approaches with specific instruments. The course will describe step by step how to gain soft tissue for tension free closure even in cases with reduced soft tissue thickness