Soft Tissue Augmentation in Periodontics and Implantology: Current Concepts, Techniques, and Clinical Outcomes

Oral soft tissue augmentation plays a crucial role in enhancing esthetics, managing gingival recession, establishing an adequate band of keratinized mucosa, and supporting both periodontal and implant therapy. Traditionally, autogenous grafts such as free gingival grafts (FGGs) and subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) have been considered the gold standard due to their predictable outcomes and long-term stability. However, their limitations, including donor site morbidity, increased surgical time, and limited tissue availability, have driven the development of alternative biomaterials. In recent years, soft tissue substitutes (STSs), particularly scaffold-based matrices derived from human and animal sources, have gained significant attention. Xenogeneic collagen matrices, in particular, have shown promising outcomes in terms of biocompatibility, angiogenesis, tissue integration, and reduced patient morbidity. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of current soft tissue augmentation techniques, with emphasis on biologically driven scaffold materials and their clinical applications in periodontics and implantology.