Avaliação tridimensional do processo de cicatrização do palato lateral por comparação de duas técnicas de recolha de enxerto de tecido conjuntivo

Description

Introduction: Connective tissue grafts are frequently used in root coverage procedures. Some suggest a single incision technique, promoting primary intention healing at the donor site, probably inducing less postoperative morbidity to the patient. Others propose the free gingival graft, having a better view of the surgical site and advantages in gingival thickness. Aim: To compare the healing pattern in the palate following harvesting of connective tissue graft at 3 and 6 months of postoperative by two different harvesting techniques. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cohort study, over a period of 6 months. Three evaluation times were made - surgery day (T0), 3 months (T1) and 6 months after surgery (T2). The sample included 19 lateral palatal donor sites. Four subepithelial tissue grafts were harvested using the single incision technique by Hürzeler MB. & Weng D. while the remaining 15 de-epithelialized tissue grafts were harvested using the technique by Zucchelli, G. et al. Digital evaluation protocol: Patient’s casts were recorded at T0, T1 and T2. The casts were digitalized by an intra-oral scanner (DentalWings®). In the computer programs, Geomagic Control X® e Materialise Magics®, the three-dimensional digital analysis of the intervened areas was recorded. Results: Regarding to the SE technique mean thickness and volume change was calculated, getting 0.36mm and 77.52mm3, respectively, at T1, and, 0.10mm and 16.99mm3, respectively, at T2. Regarding to the DE group mean thickness and volume change was calculated, getting -0.26mm and 46.99mm3, respectively, at T1, and, -0.25mm and 50.53mm3, respectively, at T2. Conclusions: ETC harvesting promotes hard palate soft tissues changes and volume/thickness gain or loss may occur; tissue stabilization appears not to happen in the first 3 months, with subsequent changes in place. There appears to be a non-significant tendency for the DE technique to produce minor soft tissue changes comparing to the SE technique. The three-dimensional digital evaluation has shown to be innovative, allowing us to study soft tissue healing dynamics.

Period	26 Jul 2019
Held at	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Degree of Recognition	Master