The Healing of Soft Tissue Augmentation by Acellular Dermal Matrix and Autogenous Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft

The Study on the Healing of Soft Tissue Augmentation by the Acellular Dermal Matrix and Autogenous Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft

The study team proposes to prospectively compare the healing outcomes of autogenous soft tissue connective tissue graft (CTG) and Acellular dermis matrix (ADM) in a split-mouth design study for patients requiring modification of gingival soft tissue biotype. The researchers aim to investigate the earlier phase of graft healing after the grafting surgery by biopsy histology and by examining the alteration of gene profile during the healing of gingival tissue healing by molecular cell biological techniques.

The investigators will perform a prospective clinical randomized controlled trial, and recruit 12 patients who need gingival soft tissue augmentation. It is a split-mouth design: CTG will be used in one side of soft tissue augmentation, and ADM will be used on the other side. 3 months after graft healing, clinical measurements including soft tissue thickness, transparency visualization, tissue profile record with impression cast study model, and digital photography of tissue will be performed. The gingival punch biopsies ( 2mm diameters) will be performed in both sides of grafting areas under the local oral anesthesia injection. The collected tissue will be split into two halves, one for histological examination, and another half for gene analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• general healthy
• periodontal healthy (no PD >3mm, no BOP, no mobility at the test site and control site)
• patients identified need gingival biotype modification (need for increased tissue thickness) during the periodontal exam or referred from orthodontics

Exclusion Criteria:

• current smoker or smoking history
• taking Antibiotics or medicines within the last 3 months
• past history of gingival soft tissue augmentation/modification surgery