Amniotic membrane for oral surgical defect coverage: A clinical study

Reconstruction of oral soft-tissue defects remains limited by donor-site morbidity and inconsistent healing with currently available grafts. In this prospective interventional study, we assessed human amniotic membrane (HAM) as a biologically active scaffold in 15 patients (6 cleft alveolus, 2 oral submucous fibrosis, 7 vestibuloplasty; ages 8-65 years). HAM integrated without complications in all cases, with no necrosis, infection, or immunologic rejection; median pain (VAS) fell from 2 on day 1 to 0 by day 7 (p < 0.00001) and swelling resolved by day 7 (p < 0.00001). Epithelialization reached "good" by 1 month (p < 0.00001); mucosal suppleness remained preserved through 6 months and in OSMF cases interincisal opening improved to 35-50 mm. Thus, data shows the HAM as a safe, donor-site-sparing, clinically translatable biomaterial that accelerates healing and improves function in oral soft-tissue reconstruction.