Effectiveness of a porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix for peri-implant soft-tissue augmentation: A prospective study

Adequate peri-implant soft tissue is essential for functional and aesthetic success. Autologous grafts are effective but limited by morbidity. This study assessed a porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix (PADM) for anterior maxillary soft-tissue augmentation. 31 patients with implants in the anterior maxilla underwent PADM grafting. Keratinized gingival thickness, width (KGW), zenith-incisal edge distance, and shrinkage rate were measured at baseline (T0), immediate postoperative (T1), 1 month (T2), and 3 months (T3). Aesthetic outcomes were assessed with the pink aesthetic score, and pain with a numeric rating scale. Data were analyzed using Friedman and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. keratinized gingival thickness increased from 0.69 ± 0.30 mm at T0 to 2.40 ± 0.63 mm at T1 (P < .001), decreasing to 1.55 ± 0.41 mm at T3 but remaining above baseline. KGW remained stable. Zenith-incisal edge distance showed significant differences among time points (χ² = 31.31, P < .001). Shrinkage rates were 16.1% (T1-T2) and 33.1% (T2-T3). Pink aesthetic score improved from 5.6 ± 2.1 to 6.8 ± 2.2 at 3 months (P < .05). Numeric rating scale pain declined from 2.7 ± 1.2 immediately post-op to 0.4 ± 0.5 after 1 week (P < .001). No complications occurred. PADM is a clinically effective and esthetically favorable option for peri-implant soft-tissue augmentation in the anterior maxilla. It offers acceptable long-term tissue stability and excellent patient tolerance. However, postoperative tissue shrinkage remains a concern, warranting further investigation in controlled comparative studies.