The low invasiveness design (LID) flap in immediate implant placement: a 20-patient case series on a novel flap design based on new insights into papilla vascularization.

Objectives: This study presents a novel Low Invasiveness Design (LID) flap for Immediate Implant Placement (IIP) and evaluates its clinical and esthetic outcomes in a 20-patient retrospective case series. The LID flap is based on recent insights into papilla vascularization and aims to balance the benefits of flapless and conventional flap techniques.

Materials And Methods: Twenty patients requiring IIP in the anterior maxilla were treated with the LID flap. The study included non-smoking, systemically healthy individuals. Esthetic outcomes and patient satisfaction were assessed one year after final prosthetic rehabilitation respectively using the Pink Esthetic Score (PES) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

Results: No implant failures or major complications were reported. A minor case of flap distress (5%) was observed and healed spontaneously without intervention. The mean PES was 12.35 ± 0.99, indicating satisfactory esthetic outcomes, while the mean VAS score was 9.15 ± 0.75. The flap design successfully preserved papilla height and granted soft tissue stability.

Conclusions: The LID flap presents a promising approach for IIP, preserving soft tissue esthetics while ensuring surgical precision. The preliminary results suggest that this technique may provide an alternative to traditional flap designs.

Clinical Relevance: The LID flap may serve as an alternative to traditional incision designs in IIP procedures.