Simone Verardi1, Marco Orsini2, Teresa Lombardi3, Federico Ausenda4, Tiziano Testori5, Alessandro Pulici4, Francesco Oreglia6, Nicola Alberto Valente7, Claudio Stacchi8. 1. Department of Periodontics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. 2. Private Practice, L'Aquila, Italy. 3. Department of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy. 4. Private Practice, Milan, Italy. 5. Private Practice, Como, Italy. 6. Private Practice, Verona, Italy. 7. Unit of Oral Surgery and Implantology, Service of Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland. 8. Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The thickness of the soft tissues around dental implants is crucial for both the preservation of the marginal bone and esthetic profile. Many authors have showed the thickened soft tissues favor a better peri-implant bone stability; however, different thickening techniques can be used for this aim. METHODS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled in this study, each one had one implant included in this analysis. According to the thickening procedure, patients were assigned into group A (porcine dermal matrix, n = 24) or B (healing abutment used as tenting screw to sustain the soft tissues, n = 23), soft tissue thickness was measured after flap elevation in a standardized way. Six months after implant placement, implants were uncovered and soft tissue thickness measured again. RESULTS: At second stage, 6 months after implant placement, the mean vertical thickness was 3.01 ± 0.58 mm in group A and 2.25 ± 0.53 mm in group B. The difference between the two groups at 6 months was significant (P < 0.001). The mean vertical gain in group A was 1.33 ± 0.71 mm, whereas it was 0.43 ± 0.55 mm in group B. This difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of a healing abutment for "tenting effect" has limited efficacy to obtain a significant increase in soft tissue thickness. The use of a porcine dermal matrix at time of implant placement is effective to thicken peri-implant tissues.
BACKGROUND: The thickness of the soft tissues around dental implants is crucial for both the preservation of the marginal bone and esthetic profile. Many authors have showed the thickened soft tissues favor a better peri-implant bone stability; however, different thickening techniques can be used for this aim. METHODS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled in this study, each one had one implant included in this analysis. According to the thickening procedure, patients were assigned into group A (porcine dermal matrix, n = 24) or B (healing abutment used as tenting screw to sustain the soft tissues, n = 23), soft tissue thickness was measured after flap elevation in a standardized way. Six months after implant placement, implants were uncovered and soft tissue thickness measured again. RESULTS: At second stage, 6 months after implant placement, the mean vertical thickness was 3.01 ± 0.58 mm in group A and 2.25 ± 0.53 mm in group B. The difference between the two groups at 6 months was significant (P < 0.001). The mean vertical gain in group A was 1.33 ± 0.71 mm, whereas it was 0.43 ± 0.55 mm in group B. This difference was also statistically significant (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of a healing abutment for "tenting effect" has limited efficacy to obtain a significant increase in soft tissue thickness. The use of a porcine dermal matrix at time of implant placement is effective to thicken peri-implant tissues.