Soft Tissue Volume Augmentation at Single Implant Sites Applying Collagen Matrices or Connective Tissue Grafts: 10-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial.
J Esthet Restor DentMay 19, 2026 (epub)
Franz J Strauss, Margherita G Liguori, Thomas J W Gasser et al.
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In 30 seconds
This randomized controlled trial compared the long-term outcomes of soft tissue volume augmentation using a volume-stable collagen matrix (VCMX) versus connective tissue graft (SCTG) in 20 patients at single implant sites. After 10 years, VCMX demonstrated non-inferiority in mucosal thickness compared to SCTG, with an adjusted difference of -0.02 mm (95% CI -0.99 to 0.96).
Key findings
- Non-inferiority of VCMX was established with a mucosal thickness difference of -0.02 mm.
- Buccal contour changes showed a trend toward greater reduction in the VCMX group (-0.31 mm, p = 0.07).
- Mean Pink Aesthetic Score was 10.6 for SCTG and 9.6 for VCMX, with no significant difference (p = 0.45).
- Both groups reported high oral health-related quality of life with low OHIP-14 scores.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that volume-stable collagen matrices can be a less invasive alternative to connective tissue grafts for soft tissue augmentation around implants, potentially reducing patient morbidity while maintaining aesthetic and clinical outcomes.