Effectiveness of Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft as an Autogenous Barrier Membrane for Hard and Soft Tissue Augmentation in Horizontally Deficient Ridges During Delayed Implant Placement

This study evaluates the clinical effectiveness of using a patient's own subepithelial connective tissue graft as a natural barrier membrane during simultaneous hard and soft tissue augmentation in areas of the jawbone with insufficient horizontal width. The procedure will be performed during delayed dental implant placement. The study aims to assess changes in hard and soft tissue dimensions and the clinical outcomes of this approach in patients with horizontally deficient alveolar ridges.

Inclusion criteria: * Presence of a single missing tooth with both neighboring teeth present * Patients at least 18 years of age * Good oral hygiene defined as full-mouth plaque score ≤25% (O'Leary, Drake, \& Naylor, 1972) * Seibert class I defect at the single tooth gap as clinically assessed with buccopalatal bone dimension of at least 4 mm. * Patients agreeing to follow up period and sign informed consent Exclusion criteria: * Pathological lesions (abscess-cyst-acute infection) in the defect site * Systemic diseases that would interfere with bone metabolism * Uncontrolled diabetic patients * Ongoing treatment or a history of recent chemotherapy or radiotherapy * Poor oral hygiene after hygienic phase (Plaque control record over 30%) or Active periodontal disease * Smoking (more than 10 cigarettes)