Evaluation of free connective tissue graft and collagen matrix clinical effectiveness to increase soft tissue thickness around dental implants

Relevance. Implant-supported prostheses are currently one of the most popular rehabilitation methods in partially or fully edentulous patients. Peri-implant soft tissue thickness is one of the principal determinants to achieve an aesthetic result and prevent the development of mucositis and peri-implantitis.Material and methods. The study included 30 partially edentulous patients with a lack of soft tissue thickness in the planned surgery site. 15 patients underwent augmentation using a collagen matrix (group 1) and 15 patients – with a free connective tissue graft (group 2). The primary endpoint was the assessment of soft tissue thickness gain three months after the surgery. The secondary endpoints were the thickness assessment of keratinized attached gingiva (three months after the surgery), swelling and pain severity (on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th day, 1 and 3 months after the surgery) and quality of life evaluation (OHIP-14) (before the surgery, seven days and three months after the surgery).Results. The soft tissues thickness gain was 1.181 ± 0.11 mm in group 1, 1.55 ± 0.11 mm – in group 2. The surgery took 8.4 minutes less (from 3.737 to 13.06) in group 1 than in group 2. The swelling assessment on the next day after surgery showed that the mean value was 2.73 ± 0.3 in group 1, 1.87 ± 0.74 – in group 2 (р = 0.0139). There were no statistically significant differences in the change in the width of the keratinized attached gingiva, pain syndrome and changes in patients' quality of life (p > 0.05)Conclusion. Collagen matrix, like a free connective tissue graft, is an effective way to increase the soft tissue thickness around dental implants.