The importance of the dimensions and composition (keratinized versus non-keratinized epithelium) of the peri-implant mucosa has been the focus of recent research. The purpose of this consensus meeting was to elucidate key issues related to the peri-implant soft tissues relevant to the maintenance of health and esthetic outcomes in implant dentistry. A further aim was to evaluate the efficacy of soft tissue reconstructive surgical interventions using autogenous soft tissue grafts or soft tissue substitutes, including the coverage of buccal peri-implant soft tissue dehiscence defects.

Forty-three experts from three scientific organizations, the German Association of Oral Implantology (DGI), the Spanish Society of Periodontology and Osseointegration (SEPA), and the Osteology Foundation (OF), collaborated to participate in this unique consensus meeting (Table 1 and Figure 1). The three organizations have a common goal of providing evidence-based education through research in the field of implant dentistry and oral tissue regeneration (Table 2).

Six systematic reviews were prepared, reviewed, and accepted for publication in Clinical Oral Implants Research prior to the consensus meeting (Bienz et al., 2022; Montero et al., 2022; Ramanauskaite et al., 2022; Sanz-Martin et al., 2022; Soetebeer et al., 2022; Valles et al., 2022). Participants were allocated to one of three working groups for discussion and preparation of the consensus reports. Due to the challenges of scheduling a consensus group meeting during the COVID-19 pandemic, several online meetings were held to enable participants to discuss the findings of the systematic reviews and to formulate questions to be addressed during the consensus conference. Literature searches were updated by the authors of the individual systematic reviews 2 months prior to the consensus conference.

The consensus conference was held on March 19–21st, 2022, at the Parador in the historic city of Alcalá de Henares, Spain.

Group 1 (Figure 2) addressed (1) the influence of the width of keratinized tissue on the prevalence of peri-implant diseases and (2) the efficacy of soft tissue substitutes, in comparison with autogenous grafts, in surgical procedures aiming to increase the peri-implant keratinized mucosa.

Group 2 (Figure 3) addressed (1) the influence of thin as compared to thick peri-implant soft tissues on esthetic outcomes and (2) the efficacy of soft tissue augmentation procedures on tissue thickening around dental implants.

Group 3 (Figure 4) addressed (1) buccal soft tissue dehiscence defects at dental implants- associated factors and frequency of occurrence and (2) the effectiveness of soft tissue augmentation procedures for the coverage of buccal soft tissue dehiscence around dental implants.

Consensus reports for each working group were prepared and presented to the plenum for further discussion prior to acceptance. The consensus reports included the main findings of each systematic review, consensus statements, implications for clinical practice, and future research.

In this special issue of Clinical Oral Implants Research, the systematic reviews and corresponding consensus reports for each of the three working groups are published.

We hope this publication will be of value to clinicians and assist in their decision-making for the benefit of their patients.