Abstract
Collagen matrices have become a great alternative to the use of connective tissue grafts for soft tissue augmentation procedures. One of the main problems with these matrices is their volume instability and rapid degradation. This study has been designed with the objective of examining the degradation of three matrices over time. For this purpose, pieces of 10 × 10 mm2 of Fibro-Gide, Mucograft and Mucoderm were submitted to three different degradation tests—(1) hydrolytic degradation in phosphate buffer solution (PBS); (2) enzyme resistance, using a 0.25% porcine trypsin solution; and (3) bacterial collagenase resistance (Clostridium histolyticum)—over different immersion periods of up to 50 days. Weight measurements were performed with an analytic microbalance. Thickness was measured with a digital caliper. A stereomicroscope was used to obtain the matrices’ images. ANOVA and Student–Newman–Keuls tests were used for mean comparisons (p < 0.05), except when analyzing differences between time-points within the same matrix and solution, where pair-wise comparisons were applied (p < 0.001). Fibro-Gide attained the highest resistance to all degradation challenges. The bacterial collagenase solution was shown to constitute the most aggressive test as all matrices presented 100% degradation before 14 days of storage.
Highlights
The oral mucosa comprises both masticatory and alveolar mucosa
An adequate amount of attached keratinized mucosa is essential for the maintenance of teeth and dental implants [1,2]
Previous findings have stated that a keratinized mucosa width of less than 2 mm more frequently exhibits clinical signs of inflammation, whereas sites showing ≥2 mm of keratinized mucosa remained healthy [3,4]
Summary
The oral mucosa comprises both masticatory and alveolar mucosa. The nonattached alveolar mucosa is thin and is mostly composed of loosely affiliated collagen fibers while the attached mucosa is fixed, thick, keratinized, and is composed of well-organized, dense, collagen fibers [1]. An adequate amount of attached keratinized mucosa is essential for the maintenance of teeth and dental implants [1,2]. Notwithstanding the recognized value of a sufficient amount of keratinized mucosa, scientific evidence reports controversial data about the thickness and amount required. Previous findings have stated that a keratinized mucosa width of less than 2 mm more frequently exhibits clinical signs of inflammation, whereas sites showing ≥2 mm of keratinized mucosa remained healthy [3,4]. It was established that an adequate width of keratinized mucosa (≥2 mm) may be necessary in order to maintain periodontal health
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