Peri-implant Yumuşak Doku Fenotip Modifikasyonu için Bağ Dokusunun Radyofrekans De-epitelizasyonunun Optimizasyonu: Bir İn Vitro Çalışma
The European Association for Osseointegration (EAO) Congress, Lisbon, Portekiz, 24 - 26 Eylül 2026, ss.1, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Lisbon
- Basıldığı Ülke: Portekiz
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1
- Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Aim:De-epithelialized connective tissue grafts harvested from the palatal keratinized mucosa are widely used to modify the peri-implant soft tissue phenotype and increase keratinized tissue width. However, de-epithelialization of the palatal keratinized tissue remains a technique-sensitive procedure with no standardized protocol. Therefore, this study aimed to histologically evaluate the effectiveness of radiofrequency (RF) de-epithelialization at different power settings and cutting modes, and to identify optimal parameters that ensure efficient epithelial removal with minimal thermal damage.
Materials and Methods:
In this in vitro controlled study, de-epithelialized connective tissue grafts were harvested from sheep palatal mucosa using the radiofrequency. Two cutting modes (CUT1 and CUT2) were applied at power levels ranging from 2 to 10. Histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed to assess epithelial remnants, thermal damage depth, usable graft thickness, and carbonization. De-epithelialization patterns (total/partial), nuclear alterations, and collagen hyalinization were also evaluated. Statistical analysis included Wilcoxon and Spearman tests (p<0.05).
Results:
No significant difference was found between CUT1 and CUT2 modes regarding epithelial remnant percentage (p>0.05); however, in CUT2 mode, increasing power levels significantly improved epithelial removal (p<0.046). Thermal damage depth was significantly higher in CUT2 compared to CUT1 (p<0.0007), and increased with higher power levels in CUT2 mode (p<0.0001). Higher power levels (≥7) in CUT2 mode resulted in a significant reduction in usable graft thickness (p<0.001). Carbonization increased with power levels in both modes, with no significant difference between CUT1 and CUT2 (p>0.05).
Conclusion:
Radiofrequency enables effective de-epithelialization of connective tissue grafts; however, its outcomes are highly dependent on power settings and application mode. While higher power levels improve epithelial removal, they are associated with increased thermal damage and reduced usable graft thickness. Therefore, optimization of RF parameters is critical to balance efficacy and tissue preservation, suggesting that lower to moderate power settings may provide more favorable histological outcomes.