Non-interventional 1-year follow-up study of peri-implant soft tissues following previous soft tissue augmentation and crown insertion in single-tooth gaps

AimTo assess peri-implant soft tissue dimensions at implant sites, previously augmented with a collagen matrix (VCMX) or an autogenous subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG), between crown insertion and 1year. MethodsTwenty patients with single-tooth implants received soft tissue augmentation prior to abutment connection randomly using VCMX or SCTG. Following abutment connection 3 months later, final reconstructions were fabricated and inserted (baseline). Patients were recalled at 6 months (6M) and at 1 year (FU-1). Measurements included clinical data, soft tissue thickness, volumetric outcomes and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). ResultsThe buccal soft tissue thickness showed a median decrease of -0.5mm (-1.0;0.3) (VCMX) and 0.0mm (-0.5;1.0) (SCTG) (p=.243) up to FU-1. The soft tissue volume demonstrated a median decrease between BL and FU-1 of -0.1mm (-0.2;0.0) (p=.301) for VCMX and a significant decrease of -0.2mm (-0.4; -0.1) (p=.002) for SCTG, respectively. Intergroup comparisons did not reveal any significant differences between the groups for peri-implant soft tissue dimensions and changes up to FU-1 (p>.05). PROMs did not show any significant changes over time nor differences between the groups. ConclusionBetween crown insertion and 1 year, the buccal peri-implant soft tissue dimensions remained stable without relevant differences between sites that had previously been grafted with VCMX or SCTG.