Titanium-Prepared Platelet-Rich Fibrin Versus Connective Tissue Graft on Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Thickening and Keratinized Mucosa Width: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: The health of peri-implant tissues is associated with the peri-implant soft tissue thickness (STT) and keratinized tissue width (KTW). Resorptive changes in the crestal bone around implant sites will be affected by the STT. The present randomized prospective study compared the effectiveness of titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) with that of connective tissue graft (CTG) on peri-implant STT, KMW, and crestal bone level. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Through simultaneous augmentation of the soft tissue using T-PRF or CTG, 30 implants were placed in 30 patients. The implants were placed in thin, soft tissue areas and thickened simultaneously with a T-PRF membrane in the test group and a CTG in the control group. During surgery (T(0)) and at 3 months postoperatively (T(1)), the KTW and peri-implant STT were measured at 3 points: occlusal part of the alveolar crest (OAC), midbuccal mucosa level (MBML), and 1 mm above the mucogingival junction (MGJ1). The crestal bone changes were evaluated from a periapical radiograph at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The baseline STT and KTW measurements showed no significant differences between the 2 groups (P < .05). Comparison of the T(0) and T(1) measurements from the 2 groups showed a significant increase in KTW and STT (P < .001). Compared with the test group, the control group showed a highly significant increase in the peri-implant STT at the MBML, MGJ1, and KTW levels (P < .05). No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of the OAC changes (P > .05). No crestal bone loss was observed in any of the dental implants. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups experienced a greater increase in peri-implant STT at the OAC level, and T-PRF can be considered as an autogenous alternative to CTG. Also, peri-implant STT might prevent crestal bone resorption in the osseointegration period.