Scar Tissue Formation Following Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Case Control Study

The aim of this retrospective case control study was to compare a porcine collagen matrix (Mucograft Seal, Geistlich) with a free gingival punch graft with respect to size, invagination, and color of resulting soft tissue scar formation. Following definition of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 22 patients were retrospectively included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups. In group A, the extraction socket was filled with bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss, Geistlich) and covered with a free gingival punch graft. In group B, the extraction socket was filled with bovine bone mineral (Bio-Oss) and covered with porcine collagen matrix. After final prosthetic reconstruction (18 implant-retained crowns and 4 fixed partial dentures), two independent examiners evaluated the size, invagination, and color of the soft tissue scar using a modified scar-evaluation scale originally developed for dermal wounds (lower values correspond to less scarring). Patient satisfaction was recorded using a questionnaire. Patient records were screened for frequency and costs of scar removal treatment. The average scar score for groups A and B was 1.33 and 4.3, respectively, revealing significantly less scarring in group B (P = .000295). Frequency and costs of scar removal treatment were statistically significantly higher in Group A (P = .000234). Patient satisfaction was not statistically significantly different between the treatment groups (P = .711 for group A and P = .809 for group B. The results suggest that alveolar ridge preservation using bovine bone mineral and porcine collagen matrix leads to less scar tissue formation when compared with bovine bone mineral and free gingival punch grafts from the palate.