title: Coronally advanced flap procedure for root coverage. Is flap thickness a relevant predictor to achieve root coverage? A 19-case series.
abstract: This clinical study was designed to determine whether the thickness of the flap can influence root coverage when gingival recessions associated with traumatic toothbrushing are treated using a coronally advanced flap (CAF). Nineteen patients, aged from 25 to 57 years, with high levels of oral hygiene (full-mouth plaque scores <20%) were selected for the study. Each patient contributed with one Miller Class I or II maxillary or mandibular recession. A total of 19 recessions > or =2 mm were treated. After local anesthesia and before flap elevation, the exposed root surface was planed with a sharp curet. A trapezoidal full- and partial-thickness flap was then elevated, displaced coronally, and sutured to cover the treated root surface. Before suturing, flap thickness was measured in the alveolar mucosa with a gauge. After surgery, all patients were recalled for control and professional prophylaxis once a week during the first month and monthly up to the third month. The mean initial recession depth was 3.0+/-0.9 mm. Mean flap thickness (FT) was 0.7+/-0.2 mm. Three months later, mean recession depth was 0.6+/-0.6 (P <0.0001) and mean recession reduction was 2.4+/-0.7 mm. Mean root coverage was 82+/-17%. Flap thickness >0.8 mm was associated with 100% of root coverage. The results of this study indicate that there is a direct relation between flap thickness and recession reduction (P <0.0001).
authors.affiliation: Dental School, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pini-Prato
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pagliaro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nieri
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Saletta
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Muzzi
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cortellini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005544:Forecasting; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005888:Gingival Pocket / Q000473:pathology; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000473:pathology; D016745:Root Planing; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology*; D019237:Tooth Cervix / Q000473:pathology; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000473:pathology*; D014099:Toothbrushing / Q000009:adverse effects