Richard E. Bauer, III, DMD, MD

University of Pittsburgh

Volume-Stable Collagen Matrix for Intraoral Soft Tissue Reconstruction and Augmentation

Dr. Bauer is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh Schools of Dental Medicine and Medicine. Dr. Bauer completed his residency training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Bauer is a full-time faculty member and Residency Program Director at the University of Pittsburgh in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and his practice is focused on dental implants, corrective jaw surgery and surgical management of sleep apnea. He has been active in research with focuses on virtual applications for computer assisted surgery and tissue regeneration.

Abstract:

This study is designed as a longitudinal clinical evaluation of the effectiveness and stability of volume stable collagen matrix, Geistlich Fibro-Gide. Tissue integration of volume-stable collagen matrix (VCMX) will provide an alternative for intraoral reconstruction and augmentation. Thoma et al. (2016) has recently shown short term effectiveness of VCMX, Geistlich Fibro-Gide, at single site defects.

Preclinical and clinical evaluation of VCMX has been completed with great promise. It has been proven to be a safe and effective product in the short term and in isolated areas and has FDA approval for intraoral soft tissue regeneration and augmentation. It is my hypothesis that VCMX will provide a stable alternative to autogenous connective tissue grafting and acellular human dermal matrix in patients with deficiencies larger than single tooth sites, around recently placed dental implants and patients that are status post oral reconstruction with composite grafts seeking implant supported dental reconstructions.

The patients included in this study will be those undergoing dental implant therapy, including multiple consecutive sites or long span edentulous ridges. Patients in need of soft tissue volume increase at dental implant sites will be consecutively recruited, informed, and screened for inclusion. VCMX will be used as connective tissue augmentation at the ridge crest and facial aspect of the dental implant site.