Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is commonly used for soft tissue augmentation in root coverage, increasing the width of keratinized gingiva or vestibular depth, or filling the localized alveolar bone defects. This parallel-design randomized controlled clinical trial assessed the effect of ADM membrane placement simultaneous with implant placement on vertical soft tissue thickness. A total of 25 submerged implants were placed in 25 patients (8 men, 17 women) with vertical soft tissue thickness < 3 mm at the surgical site. Patients were randomized into two groups: The intervention group (n = 13) received ADM over the implant for soft tissue augmentation, while no augmentation was performed for the control group (n = 12). After 3 months, healing abutments were placed, and the soft tissue thickness at the surgical site was measured again with a periodontal probe in both groups. Data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. All 25 patients were successfully treated. The presurgical vertical soft tissue thickness was 2 mm and 1.92 mm in the control and test groups, respectively (P > .05). These values changed to 1.83 mm and 2.69 mm, respectively, after the intervention. The mean gain in soft tissue thickness was 0.76 mm in the test group, and the difference between groups was statistically significant (P < .05). ADM membrane can be successfully used to augment vertical soft tissue thickness simultaneous with implant placement.
