in place and cannot move away as force is applied to it, the surface tissue easily becomes battered, with more severe consequences if the situation is not retarded or reversed. The degree of epithelial keratinization is less important in an implant-supported restoration because the implants, not the soft tissues, receive the occlusal force.

The implantologist may find thick mucoperiosteal tissues desirable or undesirable, depending upon the circumstances. Anteriorly, the thickness helps support the orbicularis oris muscle, a cosmetically desirable contribution. Thick padding of the maxillary arch contributes to the esthetics of a final prosthesis by bringing out the labial/buccal surface (21) of the ridge for a more natural alignment with the typically wider mandibular arch (22).

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However, tissue thickness and post height are interrelated. Enough post must protrude above the gum to anchor a natural-looking restoration. In many cases, an atypically tall post can be used to save the soft tissue bulk for lateral padding. However, if such a tall post would interfere with closure, the tissue must be reduced. This is done by degloving.

The modified Dolder or Andrews bar joining a pterygoid ex-tension implant to its anterior support or extending from a toroplant must lie above the gums. If the tissues are so thick that the height of the bar would interfere with closure or make it impossible to construct a natural-looking restoration over the bar, the tissues should be degloved so that the bar can be lowered.

The increase of fibrous and fatty components that produces thickening of the tissues is not accompanied by a proportional in-crease in blood supply or innervation. Thus exceedingly thick, hypertrophied tissue has a relatively poor blood supply, and heals slowly. It is also less sensitive.

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