Root coverage employing an envelope technique or guided tissue regeneration with a bioabsorbable membrane.
BACKGROUND
Different treatment modalities have been described for root coverage in cases of gingival recession. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the postsurgical outcome of 2 modes of surgical root coverage of predominantly shallow, Class I or II, gingival recessions.


METHODS
Fourteen buccal recession sites in 13 patients were treated with free connective tissue grafts employing a modified envelope technique; 14 sites in 9 patients were subjected to a coronally repositioned flap in combination with a bioabsorbable membrane. Immediately before surgery as well as after 6 months, gingival dimensions, i.e., width and thickness, as well as root coverage and attachment gain, were assessed to the next 0.1 mm employing a caliper, an ultrasonic device, and a pressure calibrated, computerized periodontal probe.


RESULTS
At the outset, mean recession depths amounted to 2.48+/-1.06 and 3.00+/-1.95 mm for patients treated with a free connective tissue graft and a bioabsorbable membrane, respectively. With the former technique, 80+/-24% root surface could be covered after 6 months, while the latter resulted in only 45+/-40% coverage. The contrast in reduction of recession width was even more pronounced (77+/-35% versus 18+/-37%). In both groups, an increase of gingival thickness of 0.6 to 0.7 mm was noticed.


CONCLUSIONS
Small recessions may be covered more predictably with the modified envelope technique. 751.
Müller
H P
HP
Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Stahl
M
M
Eger
T
T
D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008875:Middle Aged; D010517:Periodontics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011312:Pressure; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography
D008567:Membranes, Artificial