Soft Tissue Augmentation at Single Implants With Collagen Matrix or Connective Tissue Graft: 7.5-Year Follow-Up of a...

Area of Science:

• Dental Implantology
• Periodontology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Soft tissue augmentation is crucial for dental implant success in the esthetic zone.
• Comparing volume-stable collagen matrix (VCMX) and connective tissue graft (SCTG) is important for clinical decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare clinical and patient-reported outcomes of VCMX versus SCTG for peri-implant soft tissue augmentation up to 7.5 years.
• To assess the long-term stability and efficacy of VCMX as an alternative to SCTG.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) followed 20 patients with single implant sites augmented with VCMX or SCTG.
• Clinical and patient-reported outcomes were assessed over 7.5 years, including mucosal thickness, bone levels, and esthetic scores.
• Statistical analysis used mixed-effects and generalized estimating equation (GEE) models.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were found between VCMX and SCTG for mucosal thickness or most secondary outcomes over 7.5 years.
• Both VCMX and SCTG demonstrated stable peri-implant mucosal dimensions and favorable esthetic outcomes.
• Bleeding on probing (BOP) showed a significant inter-group difference at the 5-year follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Both VCMX and SCTG provide stable peri-implant soft tissue dimensions and favorable long-term esthetic and patient-reported outcomes.
• VCMX may serve as a viable alternative to SCTG for soft tissue augmentation around dental implants.
• Further adequately powered RCTs are needed to confirm these long-term findings.