Both procedures were effective in increasing soft tissue volume with no statistically significant differences. A longer follow-up is needed to confirm or refute these results.
Aim
To compare the soft tissue stability (STA) around single implants previously augmented with either subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) from the lateral palate (LP) or from the tuberosity area (TA).
Material and Methods
Twenty‐nine patients showing 33 implants with buccal volume deficiency randomly received SCTG from LP (control group/CG) or TA (test group/TG). At 4 months (FU‐4) the definitive crown was installed and an intra‐oral scan performed. At 12 months (FU‐12), a new scan was registered. Between FU‐4 and FU‐12 STA was evaluated by STL image superimposition. Clinical parameters and the modified pink aesthetic score (PES) (Fürhauser et al. 2005) were recorded.
Results
After FU‐4 both tissues demonstrated a similar STA without statistically significant differences (SSD). The mean soft tissue changes were 0.03 ± 0.22 mm for CG and 0.04 ± 0.23 mm for TG (p = .870). SSD were observed for changes in keratinized tissue (KT) with greater stability for TG (0 ± 0.32 mm) compared with CG (−0.3 ± 0.33 mm) (p = .002). PES resulted in mean values of 8.37 ± 2.46 for CG and 8.54 ± 2.43 for TG (p=.59).
Conclusions
Both groups demonstrated similar STA between the definitive crown placement and 12 months, while greater stability of the KT gained was observed in TG.
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