RESUMO
AIM: This study evaluates the early volumetric changes after buccal soft tissue contour augmentation around implants with a porcine collagen matrix (CM) vs. the subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) from the palate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 14 patients were enrolled after early implant placement with simultaneous contour augmentation and persistent buccal tissue deficits. At implant exposure, buccal soft tissues were thickened with the CM (n = 7) or the SCTG (n = 7). Impressions were taken before and after surgery, after ten days, one, three and six months. Impressions were digitized and augmented regions 3D evaluated (soft tissue volume (mm3 , %)/thickness (mm)). RESULTS: Volume increase (mm3 ) after 6 months was 19.56 ± 8.95 mm3 (CM) and 61.75 ± 52.69 mm3 (SCTG) (insignificant, p = .058). In percentage, this was a volume loss of the initially augmented soft tissue volume (100%) of 81.76% in the CM group and 56.39% in the SCTG group (6 months). The mean soft tissue thickness increase (mm) in the buccal contour after 6 months was 0.30 ± 0.16 mm (CM) and 0.80 ± 0.61 mm (SCTG) (insignificant, p = .071). CONCLUSION: The early healing phase is associated with a significant volume loss of the soft tissues. The SCTG shows insignificant superiority compared to the CM.