Culture of human gingival fibroblasts on a biodegradable scaffold and evaluation of its effect on attached gingiva: a randomized, controlled pilot study.
BACKGROUND
An adequate width of attached gingiva is necessary to maintain healthy periodontium, especially in orthodontics or restorative treatments in periodontics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the width of attached gingiva after clinical application of a cultured gingival graft compared to a periosteal fenestration technique.


METHODS
This study was conducted on nine patients (18 sites) with insufficient attached gingiva adjacent to at least two teeth in contralateral quadrants of the same jaw. A small portion (approximately 3 x 2 x 1 mm) of attached gingiva (epithelial + connective tissue) was removed with a surgical blade. After culture of gingival fibroblasts, 2 x 10(5) cells in 250 microl nutritional medium were added to 250 microl collagen gel. One tooth in each patient was randomized to receive a periosteal fenestration technique for gingival augmentation (control) or a tissue-engineered mucosal graft (test). Clinical parameters measured at baseline and 3 months included width of keratinized tissue, probing depth, and width of attached gingiva.


RESULTS
An increased amount of keratinized tissue was seen at all treated sites after 3 months. The mean increased amount of attached gingiva was 2.8 mm at test sites and 2 mm at control sites; this difference was significant (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of this investigation, the tissue-engineered mucosal graft is safe and capable of generating keratinized tissue.
Mohammadi
Mohammad
M
National Cell Bank of Iran, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
Shokrgozar
Mohammad Ali
MA
Mofid
Rasool
R
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004846:Epithelial Attachment / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000637:transplantation; D005881:Gingiva / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000637:transplantation; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000601:surgery*; D010521:Periosteum / Q000601:surgery; D010865:Pilot Projects; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014727:Vestibuloplasty / Q000379:methods*