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Background: Whether a minimal width of keratinized mucosa (KM) is required to maintain peri‐implant tissue health has been a topic of interest. This systematic review and meta‐analysis aims to investigate the effect of KM on various peri‐implant health‐related parameters.

Methods: An electronic search of five databases (from 1965 to October 2012) and a hand search of peer‐reviewed journals for relevant articles were performed. Human cross‐sectional or longitudinal studies with data on the relationship between the amount of KM around dental implants and various peri‐implant parameters, with a follow‐up period of at least 6 months, were included.

Results: Eleven studies, seven cross‐sectional and four longitudinal, were included. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and confidence interval (CI) were calculated with meta‐analyses for each clinical parameter. The results showed statistically significant …