A Comparison of Guided Bone Regeneration vs. the Shell Technique Using Xenogeneic Bone Blocks in Horizontal Bone Defects: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

In cases of severe horizontal atrophy, implant placement requires bone reconstruction procedures. The aim of this randomized controlled trial is to compare the outcomes of bone augmentation with simultaneous implant placement using the shell technique to the outcomes of guided bone regeneration (GBR) in cases of severely horizontal bone atrophy. This study was designed as a monocentric, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with a six-month follow-up. Among the primary outcomes of this study, peri-implant bone regeneration and peri-implant bone defect closure were selected. Forty-four patients were recruited and equally divided between two groups. In the GRB group, a horizontal regeneration of 2.31 ± 0.23 mm was observed opposed to a horizontal regeneration of 2.36 ± 0.17 mm in the shell group (p = 0.87). A volumetric increase was observed in both groups, with an increase of 0.30 ± 0.12 cm3 in the GBR group and an increase of 0.39 ± 0.09 cm3 in the shell group, highlighting a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.02). In conclusion, bone augmentation with simultaneous implant placement using the shell technique or guided bone regeneration in horizontal bone atrophy are both predictable therapeutic options.

Global prevalence of perinatal depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: An umbrella review and meta-analytic synthesis.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of depression and anxiety symptoms in pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic was assessed by several systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses which provided contrasting and different results. We aimed to summarize the evidence relating to the global prevalence of anxiety and depression among pregnant and postpartum women during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: An umbrella review of SRs and meta-analyses was performed. Searches were conducted in electronic databases up to April 2023. SRs and meta-analyses reporting the prevalence of perinatal anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic were selected for eligibility. Primary studies extracted from eligible meta-analyses were included in the quantitative synthesis. The research protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42020173125). RESULTS: A total of 25 SRs (198 primary studies) and 12 meta-analyses (129 primary studies) were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis, respectively. Studies involved data from five continents and 45 countries. The pooled prevalence of antenatal and postpartum depression was 29% (n = 55; 95% CI: 25%-33%) and 26% (n = 54; 95% CI: 23%-30%), respectively. In the case of anxiety, the pooled antenatal and postnatal prevalence was 31% (n = 44; 95% CI: 26%-37%; n = 16; 95% CI: 24%-39%). Differences emerged between continents, with Africa having the highest prevalence of perinatal depression and Oceania and Europe having the highest prevalence of antenatal and postnatal anxiety. The prevalence also varied depending on the assessment tools, especially for antenatal anxiety. A medium-high quality of the studies was observed. One SR assessed strength-of-evidence, reporting very low strength. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, depression and anxiety were common, affecting almost one in three perinatal women globally. A high heterogeneity and a risk of publication bias were found, partially due to the variety of assessment tools and cut-offs. The results may not be generalized to minorities. Studies on the prevalence of clinical diagnoses are needed. Based on our results it is not possible to firmly affirm that the COVID-19 pandemic was the main factor that directly increased perinatal depression and anxiety during the past few years. Future studies should study other factors' impact.

The time of motherhood in a time of crisis: a longitudinal qualitative study.

AIMS/BACKGROUND: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health of women in the perinatal period has been widely shown in literature. Although longitudinal quantitative studies investigated the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on both women and children's health, no longitudinal qualitative study can be found within literature. The study aimed at an in-depth exploration of the longitudinal trajectories, from pregnancy to postpartum, lived by women through the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. DESIGN/METHODS: As a method, the qualitative approach of Longitudinal Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used. A total of 14 women were interviewed for the first time during pregnancy (March-May 2021/second wave of the COVID-19 spread). Among the total, 8 completed a second interview, one year later, during postpartum (March-May 2022/end of the COVID-19 public emergency) and were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Three superordinated themes emerged: (1) Maternal functions during the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) 'Care' needs of women in maternal services; (3) Unspeakable: obstetric violence and gender inequality in the working field. Themes were organised considering women's experience, showing continuity and discontinuity paths overtime. CONCLUSION: Women in their perinatal period during the COVID-19 pandemic felt like 'living incubators', both isolated and invested in individual and social responsibilities of 'caring'.The study confirms the need to re-centre maternal care services' praxis on women's needs as an act of collective repair against the consequences of collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect of Hyperlipidemia on Peri-implant Health: A Clinical and Radiographical Prospective Study.

High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides may have a negative effect on the immune system and bone health, leading to lower bone mineral density, an increased risk of osteoporosis, and bone fractures, and could therefore also be related to a significant worsening of peri-implant health. The purpose of the following study was to evaluate whether the altered lipid profile in patients who undergo implant insertion surgery represents a prognostic factor capable of influencing clinical outcomes. This prospective observational study was conducted on 93 subjects; patients were required to have taken blood tests to obtain triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels prior to the surgical procedure to classify them according to current American Heart Association guidelines. The outcomes considered were marginal bone loss (MBL) 3 years after implant placement, full-mouth plaque score (FMPS), and full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) 3 years after surgery. A statistically significant correlation was found between hypertriglyceridemia and MBL as well as between total cholesterol and MBL. There is no statistically significant correlation between the variables analyzed and the secondary outcomes 3 years after implant placement. Peri-implant marginal bone loss may be influenced by hyperlipidemia. However, further studies are needed, with larger samples and more extensive follow-ups, to confirm these results.

The Effect of Diabetes and Hyperglycemia on Horizontal Guided Bone Regeneration: A Clinical Prospective Analysis.

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a reconstructive procedure for treating atrophic alveolar ridges. This study aims to assess the correlation between different glycemic control levels and clinical findings in patients undergoing horizontal GBR before implant placement. The study population consisted of all patients requiring horizontal GBR. Patients were divided into three groups based on HbA1c levels: non-diabetic normoglycemic patients (HbA1c < 5.7%), non-diabetic hyperglycaemic patients (HbA1c < 6.5%), and patients with controlled diabetes (HbA1c < 7%). The primary outcomes were the horizontal (mm) and vertical (mm) dimensional changes of the alveolar ridge 6 months after the procedure. The study sample consisted of 54 patients. Sixty-eight implants (95.8%) were classified as "successful," meaning the possibility of inserting a standard-sized implant following the GBR (diameter ≥ 4 mm). There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups in terms of horizontal gain at 6 months: in particular, there was a statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.026) and between group 1 and group 3 (p = 0.030). The present investigation showed that patients with HbA1c levels below 7% could undergo GBR and obtain a statistically significant horizontal bone gain.

The Role of Emotion Regulation as a Potential Mediator between Secondary Traumatic Stress, Burnout, and Compassion Satisfaction in Professionals Working in the Forced Migration Field.

BACKGROUND: Professionals working with refugees are vicariously exposed to complex traumatic experiences lived by forced migrants, which can lead to the risk of developing secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and a poor compassion satisfaction. The current study aimed to explore the effects of secondary traumatic stress on burnout and compassion satisfaction in 264 Italian professionals working with refugees and forced migrants. Moreover, it examined the mediating role of emotion regulation between secondary traumatic stress and both burnout and compassion satisfaction. METHODS: A structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to test the hypothesis. RESULTS: The results showed that increased levels of secondary traumatic stress were associated with an increase of burnout both directly and indirectly through the mediation of emotion regulation. Emotion regulation also totally mediated the relationship between secondary traumatic stress and compassion satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that prevention or interventions programs targeting emotion regulation might be important to improve the professional quality of life of operators working with refugees and forced migrants.

Mental Health Risk and Protective Factors of Nigerian Male Asylum Seekers Hosted in Southern Italy: a Culturally Sensitive Quantitative Investigation.

This study provides a culturally sensitive quantitative investigation aimed at assessing the post-traumatic symptomatology, post-migratory difficulties, and resilience of 36 Nigerian male asylum seekers hosted in the province of Caserta, South Italy. A survey composed by the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire-Revised (HTQ-R), the Post-Migratory Checklist (PLMD), and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) was administered to participants. Descriptive and correlation analyses were made in order to describe the mental health risk and protective factors and understand the relation between these. A linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the influence of post-migratory difficulties and resilience on PTSD. Stratified bivariate analyses were also computed to detect PTSD group and no-PTSD group differences about post-migration difficulties and resilience levels. Regression analysis showed that PMLD numbers significantly increased the risk of having PTSD. No significant effect emerged for the level of resilience. Statistically significant differences between the PTSD group and non-PTSD group in relation to post-migratory difficulties were also found. No differences in the resilience factors emerged. The results offer a glimpse into a specific ethnic group of asylum seekers and its mental health risks and protective factors, taking into consideration the specificities of their past and current life-story experiences. Clinical implications for professionals working in the field of forced migration will be outlined.

An observatory on changes in dreaming during a pandemic: a living systematic review (part 1).

A 'new' way of dreaming has emerged during the pandemic, enhancing the interest of psychological literature. Indeed, during the years of the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many studies have investigated dream-related phenomena and dreaming functions. Considering the constant and rapid emergence of new results on this topic, the main aim of this study was to create an 'observatory' on the short- and long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on dreaming, by means of a living systematic review. The baseline results are presented, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines, to identify and discuss existing studies about dreams and dreaming during the COVID-19 pandemic published until February 2022. Web of Science, Embase, EBSCO, and PubMed were used for the search strategy, yielding 71 eligible papers included in the review. Our results show: (a) a more intense oneiric activity during lockdown; (b) changes in dreaming components (especially dream-recall and nightmare frequency); (c) a particular dreaming scenario ('pandemic dreams'); (d) an alteration of the dreaming-waking-life continuum and a specific function of dreaming as emotional regulator. Findings suggest that monitoring changes in dreaming provides important information about psychological health and could also contribute to the debate on the difficulties of dreaming, as well as sleeping, in particular during and after a period of 'collective trauma'.

'Isolated together': online group treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. A systematic review.

Considering the emerging need to face the negative impact of the pandemic on mental health, social support, and access to health services, it became a critical issue to adapt to online group settings and create new group interventions to face the developing distress during this time. The aim of the current study is to investigate the main findings on OPGI conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 until March 2022, with a particular focus on: i) the therapeutic group factors; ii) what kind of OPGI works and for whom; iii) settings and emerging dimensions. In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic review on scientific databases (PsychINFO, PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO) searching for studies published between March 2020 and March 2022. 'Group intervention' or 'group therapy' or 'group treatment' crossed with 'COVID-19' and synonymous, were used as keywords. Internet based intervention was used as an eligibility criteria during the full-text screening. A total of 1326 articles were identified, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria. Among all studies, with different participants and different orientations, data extracted supported psychological online group interventions as an effective approach to reducing psychological distress and increasing psychological resources in the interpersonal field. Our findings also showed that COVID-19 has led to new needs and issues, that require the investigation of new dimensions for online psychological interventions. Methodological and clinical implications will be discussed through a descriptive table related to setting characteristics. Recommendations are made for future research.

Italian Validation of AAS-R: Assessing Psychometric Properties of Adult Attachment Scale-Revised in the Italian Context.

The Adult Attachment Scale-Revised (Collins and Read in J Person Soc Psychol 58(4):644, 1990. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.58.4.644) measures the dimensions of the attachment style of adults through the degree to which the individual feels comfortable in intimacy and closeness with the partner (Close), with dependence on the partner (Depend) and worrying about being rejected or unloved (Anxiety). Dimensions measured by the AAS can capture the core of the structure that determines adults' differences in attachment styles. This study aimed to evaluate the factorial structure of the AAS-R among a sample of Italian adults. The Italian translation of AAS-R was administered to the sample of 1546 Italian adults (M = 27.4; SD 9.35). Exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were performed to examine the validity of the Italian version of the AAS-R measure. The present study showed that the Italian version of the AAS-R has a clear factorial structure and good psychometric properties. Clinical and research implications were discussed.

Implant Placement with Simultaneous Guided Bone Regeneration Using Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin and a Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral: A 2-Year Retrospective and Comparative Study.

A lack of bone volume may compromise a correct three-dimensional implant placement. This study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of simultaneous horizontal guided bone regeneration (GBR) performed using autogenous bone or blood-derived products mixed with a bone xenograft. The study population consisted of patients operated on using one of two clinical protocols for GBR: group A, which used autogenous bone mixed with a bone xenograft, and group B, which used advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) mixed with a bone xenograft. The primary outcome was the clinical gain in the peri-implant defect. The secondary outcomes included an analysis of the postoperative healing, periodontal parameters, marginal bone loss, and occurrence of adverse events. All of the surgeries were carried out successfully. One patient in each group experienced a case of early implant loss, and three patients (one in group A and two in group B) presented biologic complications. The mean peri-implant vertical defect heights at baseline in group A and group B were 3.6 ± 0.9 mm and 4 ± 1.5 mm, respectively (P = .382). No statistically significant differences in the mean residual defect heights (P = .521) or in the postoperative wound healing (P = .611) were observed. Stable peri-implant marginal bone levels were recorded after loading in both groups. The use of A-PRF combined with a particulate bone xenograft and covered with a fixed collagen membrane may provide clinical results similar to those obtained via autogenous bone mixed with bone xenograft.

Migrant women and gender-based violence: Focus group with operators.

Gender violence is the most important factor that leads women refugees and asylum seekers to leave their country and is one of the main risks to which the migration journey exposes them. To the multidimensional trauma of migration is added the complex trauma of gender violence making migrant women even more vulnerable. This study, aimed to investigate meanings of experience of the operators who deal with migrant women in Southern Italy. For the purpose of the study, we use the Focus Group, for data collection and the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to analyze the data. The study confirms the need to structure specific paths for the well-being of forced migrant women victims of violence that respect gender dynamics and cultural differences. In particular, in the context of the transcultural clinic, it will be demonstrated that focus groups are a useful resource and propose the construction of "métissée" spaces.

From struggle to hope: A gender-sensitive investigation on Nigerian male and female asylum seekers' experiences.

The study presents a qualitative and culturally-sensitive investigation of the lived experiences of the forced migration of six Nigerian asylum seekers, three men and three women, hosted in Italy. Through a focus on gender identity issues, the study aimed to explore possible gender differences between participants and define their specific needs, requirements and characteristics. Overall, the gender-focused perspective through which we explored participants' subjective experiences has enriched our understanding of their unique life stories, shedding light on the psychic dimensions as well as on the social and cultural inscriptions of their gender identity and providing insights on the different ways in which Nigerian women and men made sense of their experiences of displacement, migration, violence and trauma.

Dreams and Nightmares during the First and Second Wave of the COVID-19 Infection: A Longitudinal Study.

Recent literature shows that the Coronovirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has provoked significant changes in dreaming. The current study intends to provide an update about dream variable changes during the second wave of COVID-19. A total of 611 participants completed a web survey from December 2020 to January 2021. Statistical comparisons showed that subjects had lower dream-recall frequency, nightmare frequency, lucid-dream frequency, emotional intensity, and nightmare distress during the second than the first wave of the pandemic. Dreams had a higher negative tone during the second than first wave. We revealed significant differences concerning post-traumatic growth, sleep-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and sleep measures between groups obtained as a function of the changes in the oneiric frequency between the first and second waves. We also found significant correlations between qualitative/emotional dream features and COVID-19-related factors (job change, forced quarantine, having COVID-19 infected relatives/friends, or asking for mental health help). Overall, we found that the second wave affected fewer quantitative features of dream activity and there was less emotional intensity. Moreover, we confirmed the relationship between nightmares and the high risk of PTSD when subjects were grouped as a function of the increasing/decreasing frequency. Finally, our findings are partly coherent with the continuity hypothesis between oneiric and waking experiences.

The effect of soft tissue augmentation on the clinical and radiographical outcomes following immediate implant placement and provisionalization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, due to the esthetic and social demands of patients, conventional staged protocols seem to be increasingly replaced by faster, one-step protocols. The purpose of the present systematic review is to assess the peri-implant soft tissue changes after immediate implant placement and provisionalization (IIPP) comparing patients treated with or without a sub-epithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) when replacing a single tooth in the esthetic region. METHODS: The present systematic review was written following the PRISMA checklist. Immediate implants placed with a connective tissue graft and without one were compared. The researched primary outcomes were the mid-buccal mucosa level (MBML) facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT) and marginal bone loss (MBL). The weighted mean differences (WMD) were estimated for all three outcomes. RESULTS: The change in the mid-buccal mucosa level in the intervention group was significantly higher (WMD 0.54; 95% CI 0.33-0.75), with no indication of heterogeneity (I2 = 16%). The facial soft tissue thickness increased significantly in the intervention group (WMD 0.79; 95% CI 0.37-1.22). The marginal bone loss was significantly higher in the control group (WMD 0.13; 95% CI 0.07-0.18), with no indication of heterogeneity (I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the meta-analyses showed a statistically significant reduced change of the marginal bone loss and vestibular recession, as well as higher soft tissue thickness, when a graft was used. The included studies had a short observation time; therefore, studies with longer follow-ups are needed to confirm these findings.

The Effect of Controlled Diabetes and Hyperglycemia on Implant Placement with Simultaneous Horizontal Guided Bone Regeneration: A Clinical Retrospective Analysis.

Diabetes represents a challenge in implant therapy because hyperglycemia may negatively affect bone regeneration, directly compromising clinical outcomes and increasing clinical failures. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyse the prognostic significance of HbA1c levels in patients undergoing implant placement associated with horizontal guided bone regeneration. Thirty-four patients were divided into 3 groups according to their HbA1c levels: nondiabetic normoglycemic patients (HbA1c < 5.7%), nondiabetic hyperglycemic patients (HbA1c < 6.5%), and controlled diabetic patients (HbA1c < 7%). Primary outcomes were dimensional changes in height (VDH) and width (DW) of the peri-implant defect. Secondary outcomes were evaluations of periodontal parameters of adjacent tooth sites, wound healing, marginal bone loss (MBL), and survival and success rates. At T 1 (6 months), mean VDH values in groups 1, 2, and 3 were, respectively, 0.07, 0.5, and 0.25 mm. Mean DW values in those same groups were, respectively, 0.07, 0.38, and 0.33 mm. HbA1c levels were not statistically related to VDH and DW values at T 1. No statistically significant differences were observed in MBL between groups (p = 0.230). Implant survival and success rates were, respectively, 98% and 96%. Simultaneous guided bone regeneration is a feasible procedure for the treatment of horizontal bone deficiencies in controlled diabetic patients.

Psychometric properties of the Sleep Hygiene Index in a large Italian community sample.

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND: Poor sleep hygiene is considered an exacerbating and perpetuating factor of sleep disturbances and is also associated with poor mental health. The Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI) is a self-report measure assessing adherence to sleep hygiene practices. The aim of this study was to estimate the psychometric properties of the SHI in an Italian representative sample of the general population, following a formative measurement approach. PATIENTS/METHODS: Participants (n = 6276; M = 33.62, SD = 13.45) completed the SHI alongside measures of sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, and stress. To consider the item formative nature, sets of item-composites weighted by means of canonical correlation analysis was created and a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was implemented. Factorial invariance tests were computed considering both presence of sleep problems and presence of emotional distress symptoms as grouping variables. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: CFA confirmed the unidimensional structure of SHI. Internal consistency was acceptable (ω = 0.752). Test-retest reliability at 8-10 months presented an ICC of 0.666. SHI significantly correlated with sleep, depression, anxiety and stress symptoms (r range from 0.358 to 0.500). Configural and metric invariance were reached for both grouping variables. Partial scalar invariance was obtained only across emotional distress groups. People with emotional symptoms reported higher latent means on the sleep hygiene dimension. Findings support the validity and reliability of the Italian version of the SHI. Importantly, the SHI showed robust psychometric properties both in healthy individuals and in individual reporting mental health symptoms. Thus, it is advisable to use this version of the SHI in both research and clinical practice.

Technical and Biological Complications of Screw-Retained (CAD/CAM) Monolithic and Partial Veneer Zirconia for Fixed Dental Prostheses on Posterior Implants Using a Digital Workflow: A 3-Year Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: The introduction of CAD/CAM and the development of zirconia-based restorations have allowed clinicians to use less expensive materials and faster manufacturing procedures. The purpose of the study was to analyze the differences, in terms of mechanical and biological complication, in multiunit zirconia fixed dental prosthesis (FPDs) on posterior implants produced using a digital workflow. Method and Materials. This study was a retrospective investigation, and patients treated with screw-retained monolithic or partial veneer FPDs on dental implants were selected. Periapical radiographs were taken at baseline and at the 3-year follow-up. Complications were recorded and classified as technical and biological ones. RESULTS: The study population included 25 patients. The occlusal and interproximal corrections were not clinically significant. In the study sample, the survival rate and success rate of the FPDs after 3 years were 100% and 96%, respectively. One implant failed immediately after placement. CONCLUSION: Monolithic zirconia FPDs and partial veneer FPDs showed a 100% survival rate, presenting an interesting alternative to metal ceramic restorations. The partial veneer FPDs had a higher technical complication rate than the monolithic FPDs; however, no statistically significant difference was found.

Maladaptive Daydreaming in an Adult Italian Population During the COVID-19 Lockdown.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, individuals with or without mental disorders may resort to dysfunctional psychological strategies that could trigger or heighten their emotional distress. The current study aims to explore the links between maladaptive daydreaming (MD, i.e., a compulsive fantasy activity associated with distress and psychological impairment), psychological symptoms of depression, anxiety, and negative stress, and COVID-19-related variables, such as changes in face-to-face and online relationships, during the COVID-19 lockdown in Italy. A total of 6,277 Italian adults completed an online survey, including socio-demographic variables, COVID-19 related information, the 16-item Maladaptive Daydreaming Scale (MDS-16), and Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales-21 Items (DASS-21). Based on an empirically derived cut-off score, 1,082 participants (17.2%) were identified as probable maladaptive daydreamers (MDers). A binary logistic regression revealed that compared to controls, probable MDers reported that during the COVID-19 lockdown they experienced higher levels of anxiety and depression, decreased online social relationships, and, surprisingly, stable or increased face-to-face social relationships. Given the peculiar characteristics of the pandemic context, these findings suggest that the exposure to the risk of contagion had probably exacerbated the tendency of probable MDers to lock themselves inside their mental fantasy worlds, which in turn may have contributed to further estrangement from online social relationships and support, thus worsening their emotional distress.

Influence of Immediate Implant Placement and Provisionalization with or without Soft Tissue Augmentation on Hard and Soft Tissues in the Esthetic Zone: A One-Year Retrospective Study.

The purpose of this clinical research was to evaluate peri-implant marginal changes around immediate implants placed either with the application of SCTG or XCM or without soft tissue grafting. A total of 48 patients requiring a single implant-supported restoration in the anterior jaw were selected for inclusion. Three surgical procedures were performed, as follows: type 1 implant with subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG), type 1 implant with xenogenic collagen matrix (XCM), and type 1 implant without soft tissue augmentation (NG) (control group). The marginal change of peri-implant soft tissue, facial soft tissue thickness (FSTT), peri-implant health status, esthetics, and patient satisfaction were assessed at one year after surgery. All of the placed implants showed a survival rate of 100%. No significant differences in FSTT were recorded between the SCTG group and the XCM group after treatment (P > 0.05), while the NG group presented a significant difference (P < 0.05). Patients in the NG group lost significantly more in the buccal marginal level than did patients in the SCTG group and those in the XCM group (P < 0.05). The favourable success rate recorded in all groups confirmed immediate tooth replacement as a choice of treatment for a missing anterior single tooth. The NG group presented significant changes of FSTT and buccal marginal level, while XCM constituted a viable alternative to SCTG.