Soft tissue volume alterations after connective tissue grafting at teeth: the subepithelial autologous connective tissue graft versus a porcine collagen matrix - a pre-clinical volumetric analysis

AimThis study evaluates a porcine collagen matrix (CM) for soft tissue thickening in comparison to the subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG). Material and MethodsIn eight beagle dogs, soft tissue thickening was performed at the buccal aspects of the upper canines (SCTG and CM). Impressions were taken before augmentation (i1), after surgery (i2), after one (i3), three (i4) and ten month (i5). Casts were optically scanned with a 3D scanner and each augmented region (unit of analysis) evaluated (primary outcome variable: volume increase in mm(3); secondary outcome variables: volume increase in percent, mean and maximum thickness increases in mm). Results3D tissue measurements after surgery revealed a significant higher volume increase in the CM (86.37mm(3)35.16mm(3)) than in the SCTG group (47.65mm(3)+/- 17.90mm(3)). After 10months, volume increase was non-significant between groups (SCTG:11.36mm(3)+/- 9.26mm(3); CM: 8.67mm(3)+/- 13.67mm(3)). Maximum soft tissue thickness increase (i1-i5) was 0.66mm +/- 0.29mm (SCTG) and 0.79mm +/- 0.37mm (CM) with no significant difference. ConclusionsTen months after soft tissue thickening, the CM is statistically non-inferior to the SCTG in terms of soft tissue volume and thickness increase. Further 3D studies are needed to confirm the data.