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Updated: Aug 12, 2025
A Novel Approach to Monitoring Graft Neovascularization in the Human Gingiva
Published on: January 12, 2019
Ridge augmentation planning, wound healing evaluation, and peri-implant tissue phenotype assessment with
Benyapha Sirinirund1,2, I-Ching Wang3, Ghazal Ramadan1
1Department of Periodontics and Oral Medicine, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.
Background:
Ridge regeneration for implant therapy requires comprehensive site evaluation and wound healing monitoring. This case report aimed to demonstrate ultrasound (US) can image soft and hard tissues for surgical planning and assess longitudinal outcomes.
Methods And Results:
US was used in a patient planned for ridge augmentation to evaluate soft tissue thickness, location of muscle attachment, and hard tissue defect features presurgically. US were obtained at 1, 2.5, and 5 months afterward to assess tissue healing. Preoperatively, US showed ∼2.5 mm and ∼0.8 mm soft tissue thickness on the facial and lingual sides, respectively. The crestal bone width was ∼2 mm, with severe facial bone deficiency and high muscle attachment. US showed wound approximation and ridge width gain to 4.5 and 4.0 mm at 1 and 5 months, respectively. US tissue perfusion increased to ∼two-fold and ∼4-fold at 1 and 2.5 months and reduced below the baseline at 5 months. An implant with simultaneous bone augmentation was performed accordingly. Tissue phenotype around the implant was measured on US images at 1-year visit.
Conclusions:
This case report demonstrated that US parameters could be valuable for planning and wound healing outcome assessment of ridge augmentation in clinical as well as research settings.
Key Points:
Why is this case new information? Novel high-resolution, chairside ultrasound was proposed to facilitate treatment planning and wound healing outcome assessment of ridge augmentation in clinical as well as research settings. What are the keys to successful use of this technology? Proper training in imaging acquisition and interpretation Adhere to high-level disinfection protocol Patient education and explanation What are the primary limitations to success in using this technology? Investment in this technology Learning curve in imaging acquisition and reading Insurance reimbursement strategy.
