Omega-Shaped (Ω) Incision Design to Enhance Gingival Esthetics for Adjacent Implant Placement in the Anterior Region

It is well accepted that achieving an optimal interdental papilla between adjacent implants is esthetically challenging in implant dentistry. In general, there are 2 kinds of interproximal soft tissues that can be present between adjacent implants. One is the true anatomic interdental papilla and the other is a “papilla-like” tissue created by surgical intervention and prosthetic contouring of the tissues. The former is challenging to preserve, and the latter is difficult to create. Multiple techniques have been suggested to create and preserve this volume of interproximal soft tissue between adjacent implants. This article describes another technique to achieve a papilla-like tissue using an omega-shaped (Ω) incision design when implants are placed adjacent to each other in partially edentulous ridges. This incision design is intended to spare an area of soft tissue of approximately 4 mm × 4 mm between the anticipated positions of the adjacent implants. The area of soft tissue that is free from surgical insult later helps in the creation of a papilla-like tissue through interim restorations. Case reports of this technique on long-term partially edentulous ridges are described, with a follow-up period of 3 to 4 years. The technique is relatively simple and does not involve additional surgeries or additional time for healing.