Clinical and experimental dental research
Histomorphometry and Immunohistochemistry of Xenogeneic Collagen Matrix: A Randomized Split-Mouth Clinical Study
By Barros MSV, Nunes MP, Clark ATR and 5 others.
Abstract
Objectives
To histomorphometrically evaluate collagen formation and immunohistochemically assess soft tissue vascularization around implants after treatment with xenogeneic acellular collagen matrix versus connective tissue graft in a randomized split-mouth clinical study.
Materials and methods
Nine patients underwent implant rehabilitation with connective tissue graft and xenogeneic acellular collagen matrix in contralateral edentulous areas. A total of 24 grafts were performed (12 each). Grafts were assigned to healing times of 30 (n = 4), 90 (n = 4), or 180 days (n = 4), at which time samples were collected for histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Collagen quality and density were assessed histologically. Vascularization, vessel density, and diameter were evaluated immunohistochemically. Samples were stained with Masson's trichrome for collagen and immunostained with CD34 for vascular endothelium; the grafted site was the unit of analysis.