Implant Treatment Combining Interpositional and Strip Gingival Grafts in Post-Traumatic Sites of the Aesthetic Region: A 6-Year Case Report and Mini-Review

In implant treatment in the aesthetic zone, high aesthetic quality is required in addition to functionality and long-term stability when reconstructing defects in peri-implant tissues. Post-traumatic cases often present with extensive loss of both hard and soft tissues, making the selection of an appropriate grafting method essential. This report describes a case in which an interpositional gingival graft (IGG) and a strip gingival graft (SGG) were combined to regenerate peri-implant soft tissue following guided bone regeneration (GBR), maintaining favorable tissue morphology and aesthetics for six years. The patient was a 53-year-old woman who suffered trauma after falling down stairs, resulting in a fractured bridge in the right maxillary canine region and crown fracture. The traumatized tooth was extracted, and GBR was performed to restore hard tissue volume. Subsequently, IGG and SGG were used to improve soft tissue thickness, interproximal papilla height, and a healthy mucogingival junction (MGJ). A cantilever implant prosthesis was selected as the final restoration. Over six years, no gingival recession or marginal bone loss was observed, and excellent aesthetic stability was maintained. A mini-review of published reports on IGG and SGG demonstrated their efficacy in enhancing soft tissue volume. The findings of this case suggest that a comprehensive approach—including bone augmentation, soft tissue grafting, and prosthetic design—can provide predictable, long-term aesthetic and functional outcomes in complex post-traumatic cases (223).