Effectiveness of Connective Tissue Graft With and Without Leukocyte Platelet Rich Fibrin on Peri-implant Soft Tissue Thickness Around Delayed Implants in Patients With Thin Gingival Phenotype: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Soft tissue thickness around implants is crucial as it prevents peri-implant bone loss and enhance the esthetic outcomes. The critical amount of soft tissue thickness on the buccal aspect of implants has been determined to be 2mm. Thick mucosal tissue often has better esthetic outcomes as it creates better tissue contour, mask the metal abutment and creating papilla after prosthesis fabrication. The difference in the amount of bone remodeling is related to the difference in mucosal tissue thickness, which is believed to be the result of supracrestal tissue height establishment. Presence of thin gingival phenotype around dental implant increases the prevalence of peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis. Thin gingival phenotype and inadequate keratinized mucosa width lead to greater food impaction compared with thick gingival phenotype and adequate keratinized mucosa. Patients with thin gingival phenotype have more pain and discomfort during oral hygiene therefore making it more difficult for plaque control.

Various techniques are used to increase the thickness of the peri-implant mucosa. These include connective tissue grafts, platelet-rich fibrin and xenogeneic collagen matrix. The volume of labial bone may be maintained by the increased thickness of soft tissue as a result of connective tissue graft . The autologous connective tissue graft has been widely recommended for mucosal tissue thickness enhancement due to its favorable thickness with minimal shrinkage in long-term follow-up when compared to other soft tissue graft approaches. Connective tissue graft (CTG) is considered the gold standard for soft-tissue correction and augmentation surgeries, but involves a secondary donor area and its associated complications. Connective tissue graft (CTG) has become a reliable treatment modality for increasing gingival thickness, width of keratinized gingiva, root coverage, treatment of furcation alveolar ridge deficiencies management of peri-implant tissue abnormalities and papillary loss. The scope of free gingival graft has been narrowed down especially in the esthetic region.

Leukocyte and Platelet rich fibrin is a second generation platelet concentrate that was introduced by choukroun et al in 2001 after platelet rich plasma. PRF is the first source of autogenous blood derived growth factors harvested without the use of anticoagulants. It is obtained by a simple and inexpensive procedure that does not require biochemical blood handling. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is increasingly becoming popular in dentistry due to its growth factor-secreting properties and is also known to enhance wound healing and soft tissue thickness at the surgical site.