Geistlich novosti


New technology sees off “giant transplants”

Do large defects need large transplants? Not always. A new technique cleverly merges

autologous tissue and collagen matrix.

 

If soft tissue is lacking after major bone augmentations, use is often made of giant

autologous soft tissue transplants from the palate: either free gingival grafts or connective

tissue grafts. Their removal is painful due to the creation of large wound surfaces in the

palate.

Narrow transplant provides cells to the matrix

Prof. Istvan Urban, Hungary/USA, has published a prospective series of cases for an

alternative method1. This involves him using only a narrow free gingival graft of about 2-3 mm

in width and combining it with the Geistlich Mucograft® collagen matrix. The underlying idea:

the autologous transplant, placed apically parallel to the collagen matrix, ensures that the

collagen matrix is replaced by new keratinised tissue instead of by non-keratinising mucosal

cells.

6.33 mm gained

After one year a mean 6.33 mm of keratinised tissue had been gained. Use of analgesics

and patient-reported morbidity were very low.

Details of the case series:

Involvement: 20 patients with at least one site without keratinised tissue in conjunction with

loss of vestibular depth

Primary endpoint: widening the keratinised tissue after 12 months

Secondary endpoints: transplant shrinkage, morbidity after 1 and 2 weeks (use of

analgesics plus measurement using visual analogue scale)

Evaluation: 12 months after surgery

Reference:

1. Urban IA, et al.: Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2015; 35(3): 345-53.