VESTIBULOPLASTY IN AN EXTREMELY ATROPHIC EDENTULOUS MANDIBLE USING A COMBINATION OF STRIP PALATAL GRAFT AND XENOGENEIC COLLAGEN MATRIX: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this research was to evaluate the cumulative effect of using both epithelial autograft and xenogeneic collagen matrix as an alternative to single keratinized epithelial palatal autografts, which can prove beneficial for its reduced morbidity. Materials and methods: This study includes one female patient with an extremely atrophic mandible who requires deepening of the vestibulum in the anterior region in order to improve the stability of the removable denture. The surgical procedure included local anesthesia, one horizontal incision and a partial-thickness flap elevation. The exposed periosteum was covered by a small keratinized epithelial autograft from the hard palate at its apical aspect and a xenogeneic collagen matrix at its coronal portion. Follow up of the healing process was performed on the 7th, 14th, 30th day, after three and six months. Results: The postoperative period underwent without any complications in all areas. The healing process resulted in the formation of an additional area of keratinized mucosa - a mean gain value of 2.92 mm after six months, which led to a significant improvement of denture stability. Conclusion: The final result suggested that this technique shows great promise in compensating the disadvantages of using single grafting materials: the increased morbidity caused by the additional surgical site on the palate in the case of autografts and the greater shrinkage of the area of keratinized mucosa in a six months period when collagen matrixes are applied as a single grafting material in large edentulous areas.

Keywords

• vestibuloplasty
• free epithelial graft
• collagen matrix