Peri-implant soft tissue management through use of cultured mucosal epithelium

Abstract Objective. In implant therapy, peri-implant soft tissue management through use of mucosal grafting or skin grafting is necessary in some patients who do not have enough attached gingiva around the abutment. However, limitation of donor site size is a problem for the mucosal graft, and the different characteristics of skin, such as hair growth, are disadvantages in treatment that involves the use of skin graft. On the other hand, cultured epithelium fabricated with living mucosal cells has proved to be a good grafting material for any kind of mucosal defect. In this study, we used cultured mucosal epithelium for soft tissue management in implant therapy. Study design. In the first surgical procedure of the implant therapy, a small segment of oral mucosa was sampled from a patient. The cultured epithelium was fabricated and then stored until it was grafted in the second surgery. Results. Twelve cases in which patients underwent peri-implant soft tissue management through use of cultured mucosal epithelium for implant therapy are presented, and the usefulness of this technique in the making of attached gingiva is analyzed. Conclusions. From this study it was concluded that cultured mucosal epithelium can serve as a proper material for peri-implant soft tissue management.