From Bench to Chairside: Collagen Scaffolds in Combination with Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Gingival Augmentation

This study compared three collagen-based xenogeneic scaffolds—Fibro-Gide, FibroMATRIX, and Mucoderm—for gingival augmentation, both alone and combined with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Mechanical, structural, and in vivo analyses revealed that FibroMATRIX provided an optimal balance between stiffness, porosity, and bioactivity. Micro-CT, indentation, and histology demonstrated that FibroMATRIX supported greater vascularization and tissue integration than Fibro-Gide or Mucoderm. FibroMATRIX + MSCs yielded higher lamina propria thickness and vessel density, while Fibro-Gide inhibited angiogenesis due to dense architecture. Results demonstrate that scaffold stiffness and porosity critically influence gingival regeneration outcomes.