Affiliations: [a] Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA | [b] Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Boston, MA, USA | [c] Periodontology and Prosthodontics, Ospedale Odontoiatrico George Eastman, Rome, Italy | [d] Periodontics and Community Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia | [e] Department of Preventive Dentistry, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Mohammed Alasqah, Department of Preventive Dentistry, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Email: mubarakmo@yahoo.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The natural Omega-3 lipids in the OADM serve to reduce inflammation. Preliminary results in a human model reported no adverse events and favorable healing and esthetic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this animal model study was to histologically evaluate the use of Omega-3 piscine acellular dermal matrix (OADM) as a soft tissue alternative in surgically created mucogingival defects. METHODS: Bilateral maxillary canines in 6 adult beagle dogs were randomly assigned to the test (OADM) and control sub-epithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) groups. Dehiscence defects 4 × 6 mm were created surgically on the buccal surfaces. The OADM/SCTG were placed to completely cover the root surface to the level of the cemento-enamel junction and sutured with resorbable sling sutures. The gingival flap was repositioned to cover the grafts. At two months follow-up, the dogs were sacrificed, and block samples were retrieved, including the whole canine and periodontium. The histological outcomes were evaluated using qualitative analysis. RESULTS: The qualitative histological analysis revealed the oral, sulcular and junctional epithelium had healed with normal appearance on both test and control sites. None of the test (OADM) samples presented with any foreign body reaction. CONCLUSION: The use of this new piscine xenograft resulted in minimal complications and the attachment apparatus healed normally.
