Predictable Implant Recession Coverage Utilizing ”The Lateral Pouch Technique” with Connective Tissue Graft

Course Description:

Mid-facial recession on dental implants appears to be a major esthetic concern for patients and dentist placing it. It may consist of soft and hard tissue lost. Management of such soft tissue deficiency varies from surgical hard tissue regeneration only, soft tissue implant coverage only, and soft and hard tissue combo. However, it could also be corrected by changing the oversized abutment.

 Due primarily to the poorer affinity of dento-mucosal junction or weaker biological attachment to the implant surface, the receded facial tissue of the affected implant is likely vulnerable to surgical procedures involving vertical releasing incision and full thickness elevation which may compromise the blood supply and/or tearing of the tissue. Thus, it is advisable to exercise a favorable approach to maximize the blood supply by making a submarginal incision with partial elevation forming a pouch to reduce the risk for further recession and increase the chance for tissue gain.

 It is the purpose of this presentation to demonstrate the “Lateral Pouch” surgical flap design technique accessed for connective tissue graft for predictable correcting mid-facial implant recession and concavity. With proper diagnosis and treatment planning, one can precisely achieve in mid-facial implant coverage with predictability and long-term stability.

Speaker Bio

Paul P. Lin, DDS., MS. Dip. Perio (ABP)

Dr. Lin received his DDS degree from Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan in 1987.  After obtaining periodontal postgraduate training certificate and Master degree, he was appointed as clinical assistant professor in department of periodontology , college of dentistry, the Ohio State University（OSU）in 1991.  He was given the Certificate of "Master in Implant Dentistry" from UCLA, School of Continued Education in 2006 and has been invited to teach for the Global Institute for Dental Education（gIDE）since.

He is a diplomate of both American Board of Periodontology（ABP） certified in 2000 and International Congress of Oral Implantologist（ICOI）certified in 2014.  He is the past president of 3 Taiwan Academies, namely,  Periodontology（TAP）, Aesthetic Dentistry（TAAD）and Gnathology（TAG）.  He is the founder and director of Taiwan Seattle Study Club, which is the first chapter in Asia affiliated with Seattle Study Club, from 2009 to 2020, He organized the first ever Asia-Pacific Conference of Leading Female Periodontists during his presidency as Taiwan Academy of Periodontology in 2013.  He recently spoke internationally at the general session of the Annual Meeting for Academy of Osseointegration（AO）in Los Angeles 2018, American Academy of Periodontology（AAP）in Phoenix 2022, Japanese Academy of Clinical Periodontology（JACP）in Yokohama 2022, and Dentistry 4.0 in Vienna 2023. 

His academic book publication released in 2019 by the Quintessence Publishing, Beijing titled《Color Atlas: Soft Tissue Management for Natural Teeth and Dental Implant-A Problem Solving Driven Guide》with 3000+ photos and 400+ pages was all sold out. The 2nd Volume are expected in the near future together with English and Japanese translation.

Dr. Lin is currently part-time teaching at the Ohio State University as adjunct assistant professor.  He maintains a full-time private practice limited to periodontics, implant and esthetic dentistry in Taipei, Taiwan since 1992.  He also founded and directed a training center: the International Professors Dental Institute for Clinical Training（iProDICT）in Taipei since 2007 in which he offers Perio, Implant and Esthetic courses for participants all over the world.

 His numerous lectures, presentations and courses nationally and internationally were very well received. With his major passion on "maximal preservation" for natural dentition and "optimal reconstruction" for dental implants, he endeavors in shedding the light of saving hopeless teeth and implants even without the compromise of esthetics.