Abstract
PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of a xenogeneic collagen matrix (CM) in pre-prosthetic augmentation of the keratinized mucosa width (KMW) at implant sites. METHODS: All of the patients with localized implant-supported rehabilitation previously treated with vestibuloplasty and KMW augmentation with a non-cross-linked porcine CM were recalled. KMW was measured clinically in an apico-coronal direction from the mucogingival junction to the mucosal margin at the prosthetic zenith of each crown. Measurements were performed clinically by means of a PCP-UNC15 periodontal probe and rounded to the nearest mm. KMW values recorded at 1 year, 5 and 10 years from the soft tissue augmentation procedure were compared using a one-way repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni multiple comparison post-hoc analysis. The level of significance was set at 0.05. RESULTS: Measurements were conducted on 13 patients. All implants were in function with no signs of biological complications. All except one implant site showed KMW ≥ 2 mm. KMW decreased significantly from 1 year (3.33 ± 1.11 mm) to 5 years (2.77 ± 0.92 mm) (p = 0.001), and finally remained stable from 5 to 10 years (3.2 ± 0.99 mm) (p = 0.607). From a visual aspect, peri-implant soft tissues were characterized by a good texture and color blending compared to the adjacent teeth, highlighting good integration of the remodeled tissues and stability of the esthetic result. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a CM in pre-prosthetic soft tissue augmentation at implant sites has proven to be effective in obtaining and maintaining at least 2 mm of KMW around dental implants over a follow-up of 10 years.