Abstract: Objective To evaluate the effect of an improved connective tissue flap technique applied in alveolar ridge crest for aesthetic implant restoration in maxillary anterior zone. Methods A total of 20 patients with flat or concave profile of labial soft tissue on implant site before second-stage surgery who received the improved connective tissue flap technique during second-stage surgery were enrolled as the experimental group; 20 patients according with the inclusive criteria who received second-stage surgery without the improved connective tissue flap technique were involved as the control group. We observed and measured the convex profile on the facial aspect, relative height of gingival papilla and pink esthetic score(PES)at the follow time points: before surgery; 2 weeks, 1 month, 6 months and 12 months after the second-stage surgery. The Data were analyzed with t-test and repeated measure. Results The convex profile was improved after second-stage surgery in the experimental group(T1-T0: 0.3; T2-T0: 0.27; T3-T0: 0.26; T4-T0: 0.26). There were significant difference between the two groups(P<0.001). Both long-term and short-term effects were satisfactory. There was no significant difference in the relative height of gingival papilla and PES between the two groups(P>0.05). Conclusion The improved connective tissue flap technique can be considered an effective method 山 东 大 学 学 报 (医 学 版)54卷6期 -孙睿男,等.改良牙槽嵴顶结缔组织转瓣技术在上颌前牙种植美学修复中的应用 \=-to augment the soft tissue during second-stage surgery without causing the shrinkage of gingival papilla or decrease of PES. It is worth wide application in soft tissue aesthetics of implant therapy.

Key words: Implant restoration, Soft tissue augmentation, Second-stage surgery, Connective tissue flap transposition technique