Emergence Profile-specific Biological Width and Zonal Mucosal Thickness: A Digital Analysis of the Peri-implant Soft Tissue Phenotype and Its Clinical Relevance

Purpose To investigate how emergence profiles (EPs) associate with the biological width (BW) and zone-specific mucosal thickness (MT), and to evaluate the impact of these EP-related phenotypes on peri-implant health. Materials and methods 93 implants were allocated to a linear EP group (Straumann Ti SLA ^® bone-level RC implants) and a convex EP group (Bicon Integra-CP ^® 3.0 mm-well implants). Digital measurements of MT in aesthetic, biological, and alveolar crestal zones; supracrestal tissue height (STH); and BW were performed by integrating intraoral scans with CBCT. Clinical parameters (mPlI, mBI, PD) and marginal bone loss (MBL) were assessed. Results A linear EP correlated with significantly greater MT in the biological zone (BMT) ( P  < 0.001), whereas a convex EP was associated with a significantly longer BW ( P  < 0.001). These tissue dimensions were linked to clinical health: both BMT and BW negatively correlated with mBI ( P  < 0.001 and P  < 0.01, respectively), indicating a protective effect. Conversely, mPlI increased significantly with increasing STH (P < 0.05) and decreasing KMW ( P  < 0.01). Conclusions The EP was a key factor associated with peri-implant soft tissue, modulating the BW and zonal MT. These EP-influenced tissue characteristics were related to peri-implant health outcomes, with plaque control being the most critical factor, providing a rationale for selecting an emergence profile to enhance tissue stability and maintain health.