Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dental implantation is an effective method for rehabilitating patients without teeth. The long-term survival of implants is influenced by various factors, one of which is the condition of the soft tissue surrounding the implant.
 AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of cross-linked collagen matrix for soft tissue augmentation in the implant area.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two patients with soft tissue thickness deficiency were examined. The patients were divided into two groups depending on the method of surgery. Group 1 received a cross-linked collagen matrix, whereas group 2 underwent the transplantation of a free connective tissue graft. The increase in soft tissue thickness was assessed 3 and 6 months after surgery.
 RESULTS: Soft tissue thickness 3 months after surgery increased by 1.77±0.61 and 1.26±0.41 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p 0.001). Moreover, 6 months after surgery, soft tissue thickness increased by 1.11±0.44 and 1.43±0.81 mm compared with the initial value (p=0.012).
 CONCLUSION: The use of the collagen matrix increases the soft tissue thickness in the implant area; however, the effect size is lower than that obtained by autograft transplantation.
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