Doppler ultrasonographic evaluation of tissue revascularization following connective tissue graft at implant sites

Abstract

Aim: To assess the Doppler ultrasonographic tissue perfusion at dental implant sites augmented with connective tissue graft (CTG) using coronally advanced flap (CAF) or tunnel technique (TUN). Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight patients presenting with isolated healthy peri-implant soft-tissue dehiscence (PSTD) were included in this randomized clinical trial. PSTDs were treated with either CAF + CTG or TUN + CTG. Ultrasound scans were taken at baseline, 1 week, 1 month, 6 months and 12 months. Tissue perfusion at the mid-facial, mesial and distal aspects of the implant sites was assessed by colour Doppler velocity (CDV) and power Doppler imaging (PDI). Early vascularization of the graft and the flap at 1 week and at 1 month were evaluated via dynamic tissue perfusion measurements (DTPMs), including flow intensity (FI), mean perfusion relief intensity (pRI) and mean perfused area (pA). Results: Regression analysis did not reveal significant differences in terms of mid-facial CDV and PDI changes between CAF and TUN over 12 months (p >.05), while significant differences between the two groups were observed at the interproximal areas (p