3D analysis at implant sites after soft tissue augmentation with two types of collagen matrices: a pilot study

Soft tissue augmentation at the implant site is one of several techniques suggested in the case of soft and hard tissue deficiency after implant rehabilitation. The gold standard in this procedure is connective tissue graft (CTG), which is considered an autologous material with a high proliferative pattern. Today, several collagen matrices (VCMXs) are on the market as CTG substitutes and are recommended for this type of procedure. The aim of this case report is to compare the resorption process and the volume gain of two potential collagen matrices (VCMXA and VCMXB) of porcine origin for soft tissue augmentation around single implants. 3D analysis with dedicated software (GOM inspect® Braunschweig, Germany) was performed to understand the volumetric and surface changes on the vestibular aspect and the amount of resorbed biomaterial at 7 days from the surgery and at 3 months of follow up. Considering the limitation of the four included patients and the different surgical sites (13 and 17 for VCMXA and 26 and 25 for VCMXB), both VCMXs showed interesting results with respect to the baseline at 7 days (VCMXA gain, + 2.93 ± 1.65 mm; VCMXB, + 2.58 ± 1.11 mm); however, after 3 months of follow up, an important remodelling process was present in both treated sites (VCMXA, + 2.00 ± 0.99 mm; VCMXB, + 0.41 ± 0.73 mm). Soft tissue augmentation at the implant site resulted in a similar increase in volume for both the matrices. On the other hand, VCMXA seemed to preserve more volume at 3 months. Future randomised clinical trials are needed to confirm these results