title: Reconstruction of attached soft tissue around dental implants by acelluar dermal matrix grafts and resin splint.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to recommend a new method using acellular dermal matrix graft and resin splint to reconstruct the attached soft tissue around dental implants in patients with maxillofacial defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 8 patients (3 male and 5 female patients) diagnosed with maxillofacial defects and dentition defects caused by tumors, fractures or edentulous jaw, were selected for this study. Dental implants were routinely implanted at the edentulous area. Acellular dermal matrix heterografts and resin splint were used to increase the attached soft tissue. The width of attached gingiva in the labial or buccal surface at edentulous area was measured before surgical procedures and after the completion of superstructures. Paired t-test was applied to assess the change of quantitative variables. All tests were 2-tailed, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The dense connective tissue around implants could be reconstructed one month after the completion of surgical procedures, and the epithelial cuff around the implant neck established very well. The width of attached gingival tissue in the patients increased significantly from a mean of 0.61 ± 0.75 mm to 6.25 ± 1.04 mm. The patients were fully satisfied with the esthetic and functional results achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The acellular dermal matrix graft could be used to increase the attached gingiva around dental implants in these patients with maxillofacial defects. The resin splint could facilitate the healing of graft.
authors: Department of Dental Implantology Centre, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University Beijing 100050, China.
authors: Changying
authors: C
authors: Liu
authors: Department of Dental Implantology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital Beijing 100032, China.
authors: Yucheng
authors: Y
authors: Su
authors: Department of Dental Implantology Centre, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University Beijing 100050, China.
authors: Baosheng
authors: B
authors: Tan
authors: Department of Dental Implantology Centre, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University Beijing 100050, China.
authors: Pan
authors: P
authors: Ma
authors: Department of Stomatology, Jinan General Military Hospital Jinan 250031, China.
authors: Gaoyi
authors: G
authors: Wu
authors: Department of Dental Implantology Centre, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University Beijing 100050, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Li
authors: Department of Dental Implantology Centre, School of Stomatology, Capital Medical University Beijing 100050, China.
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Geng
keywords: Peri-implant attached soft tissue; acellular dermal matrix; implant; maxillofacial defect; resin splint; soft tissue reconstruction