The challenges of vestibulopathy

Vestibuloplasty is a surgical procedure performed in dental implantology to enhance the depth and width of the oral vestibule. It is a crucial step in the rehabilitation of patients requiring dental implants in areas with inadequate gingival tissue.

The procedure involves the manipulation and reconstruction of the vestibular depth to create an optimal environment for successful dental implant placement. However, like any surgical procedure, vestibuloplasty poses several challenges and requires specific techniques to ensure favourable outcomes.

One of the main challenges is determining the appropriate depth and width required for the oral vestibule. The ideal depth of the vestibule is determined by various factors, such as the type of dental prosthesis planned, the patient’s buccal cavity, and the expected aesthetic outcome. Achieving the correct depth is crucial to ensure the optimal placement of dental implants and the successful integration of the prosthetic. The width of the keratinised gingiva and the attached gingiva is still a matter of discussion, but researchers have currently agreed upon 2mm of keratinised gingiva and 1mm of attached gingiva as the gold standard.