Soft tissue volume augmentation by the use of collagen-based matrices: a volumetric analysis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to test whether or not soft tissue augmentation with a newly developed collagen matrix (CM) leads to volume gain in chronic ridge defects similar to those obtained by an autogenous subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG).


METHODS
In six dogs, soft tissue volume augmentation was performed by randomly allocating three treatment modalities to chronic ridge defects (CM, SCTG, sham-operated control). Impressions were taken before augmentation (baseline), at 28, and 84 days. The obtained casts were optically scanned and the images were digitally analysed. A defined region of interest was measured in all sites and the volume differences between the time points were calculated.


RESULTS
The mean volume differences per area between baseline and 28 days amounted to a gain of 1.6 mm (CM; SD+/-0.9), 1.5 mm (SCTG; +/-0.1), and a loss of 0.003 mm (control; +/-0.3). At 84 days, the mean volume differences per area to baseline measured a gain of 1.4 mm (CM; +/-1.1), 1.4 mm (SCTG; +/-0.4), and a loss of 0.3 mm (control; +/-0.3). The differences between CM and SCTG were statistically significant compared with control at 28 and 84 days (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Within the limits of this animal study, the CM may serve as a replacement for autogenous connective tissue.
Thoma
Daniel S
DS
Clinic for Fixed and Removable Prosthodontics and Dental Material Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. daniel.thoma@zzmk.uzh.ch
Jung
Ronald E
RE
Schneider
David
D
Cochran
David L
DL
Ender
Andreas
A
Jones
Archie A
AA
Görlach
Christoph
C
Uebersax
Lorenz
L
Graf-Hausner
Ursula
U
Hämmerle
Christoph H F
CH
D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D004285:Dogs; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000637:transplantation*; D005893:Gingivoplasty / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation
D003094:Collagen