Is buccolingual angulation of maxillary anterior implants associated with the crestal labial soft tissue thickness?

We aimed to examine the relationship between crestal labial soft tissue thickness (CLSTT, measured with a digital calliper at the crestal level of casts) and implant buccolingual angulation (IBLA). The records of 22 females and 10 males treated with two bone-level implants (3.3-4.6mm) between the maxillary canines were evaluated. IBLA was recorded as cingulum, incisal, or labial based on the screw access hole position on provisional restorations. Postoperative implant labial bone thickness (ILBT) at the crestal (2mm from crest) and mid-implant levels were measured on sectional cone beam computed tomography scans. The mean (SD) ridge width at the crestal level was 6.81 (0.98) mm. Mean (SD) CLSTT for implants with cingulum, incisal, and labial angulations were 2.98 (0.84), 2.24 (0.51), and 1.71 (0.72) mm, respectively. Significant differences were detected between CLSTT of implants with cingulum and incisal, as well as cingulum and labial angulations (P<0.01). Of implants with cingulum, incisal, and labial angulations, 3.4%, 20%, and 53.3%, respectively, had a CLSTT<2mm. Overall, 74.2% of CLSTT variance could be predicted by IBLA and ILBT at the crestal and mid-implant levels. A significant association between CLSTT and IBLA was noted when ILBT (crestal level) was <2mm (P<0.01). Implants with labial angulations carry a higher risk of soft tissue complications when the crestal implant labial bone thickness is <2mm.