Results of Using Collagen Matrix in Soft Tissue Management in the Area of Dental Implants in the Anterior Region of the Upper Jaw

Abstract

The aim is to comparatively analyze the using of collagen matrix and free connective tissue graft in soft tissue thickness increase in the area of dental implants in the anterior region of the upper jaw.
 Materials and methods. 30 patients with partial absence of teeth and soft tissue thickness deficit in the anterior part of the upper jaw took part in the study. In the 1st group (n = 15) a free connective tissue graft (CTG) from the hard palate was transplanted, in the 2nd group (n = 15) a collagen matrix (CM) was used. The primary endpoint was the amount of soft tissue thickness gain 3 months after surgery. Secondary endpoints were: duration of surgery, severity of collateral edema and pain, amount of analgesic medication consumed, quality of life assessment, width of keratinized attached gingiva, and soft tissue aesthetics.
 Results. 3 months after augmentation the increase in soft tissue thickness from the vestibular surface was 0.86 ± 0.25 mm and 0.77 ± 0.26 mm (p = 0.34), from the occlusal surface - 0.46 ± 0.14 mm and 0.37 ± 0.18 mm (p = 0.137) in patients of the 1st and 2nd groups, respectively. The use of CM was characterized by less prolonged surgery (p = 0.002), less pronounced postoperative pain on the 1st and 3rd day (p = 0.007; p = 0.023), less consumption of analgesic drugs on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day (p = 0.014; p = 0.033; p = 0.002) and less reduction of patients' quality of life in the first 7 days after surgery (p = 0.023). When analyzing the "Pink Esthetics Scale" (PES) in patients, group 2 showed more pronounced inconsistencies in the assessment of the zenith level (p < 0.001), less natural soft tissue contour (p < 0.001) and more significant deficit of the alveolar ridge (p < 0.001).
 Conclusion. Collagen matrixes make it possible to obtain soft tissue augmentation comparable with the use of CTG, to reduce the time of surgical intervention and to provide a more comfortable postoperative period. The use of autogenous grafts provides better results in terms of soft tissue aesthetics.