Treatment of class I Sibert alveolar ridge defects with volume stable collagen matrix. A case report

The soft tissue volume and its stability around dental implants are important for the final aesthetic outcome. A 39-year-old female was referred for dental implant placement for her missing tooth. Following attachment of the cover screw VCMX was used to simultaneously augment buccal ridge defect. Patient was seen 2 weeks after surgery for follow up where sutures were removed. After 3 months, patient received her final crown and been on follow up for 9 months where a successful well-functioning restoration with clinically healthy soft tissue and optimal profilometric outcome were maintained. This approach is relatively simple, less invasive and time saving as it eliminates the need for another surgical donor site to manage the defect. The present report showed that VCMX was effective in soft tissue augmentation at implant sites in aesthetic zone. Within the limits of this study, the positive results suggest that the volume stable collagen matrix (VCMX) may be a reliable option in treatment of siebert class I ridge defects. VCMX was associated with less amount of pain or discomfort and reduced patient morbidity.