A 3-year longitudinal evaluation of subpedicle free connective tissue graft for gingival recession coverage.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to longitudinally evaluate, over a 3-year period, the reduction of gingival recession through use of a subepithelial free connective tissue graft placed under a coronally advanced partial-thickness pedicle flap.


METHODS
Twenty-one buccal recession defects (mean 3.67 mm; range 3 to 4.5 mm; Miller Class I, II, and III) in 15 patients were treated using this technique. Amount of gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and width of keratinized gingiva (WKG) were followed for 3 years after surgery. The measurements were performed at presurgery, and 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, and 36 months postsurgery.


RESULTS
GR decreased from 3.67 +/- 0.58 mm at baseline to 0.33 +/- 0.43 mm at 36 months, representing a reduction of 3.33 mm, corresponding to 91.28% mean root coverage. CAL was significantly decreased at 36 months from 5.26 +/- 0.77 mm to 2.14 +/- 0.57 mm. At 36 months, 3.12 mm of attachment gain was obtained. WKG significantly increased after 36 months (1.95 mm). GR, CAL, and WKG had the most positive outcomes at 12 months and were maintained at stable levels throughout the 36-month observation period.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the connective tissue graft with a partial thickness coronal advancement pedicle is a predictable method for root coverage and, provided that optimal maintenance care is provided, the clinical outcomes gained by this technique can be well maintained.
Lee
Yong-Moo
YM
Department of Periodontology and BK21HLS, College of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Kim
Jin Y
JY
Seol
Yang-Jo
YJ
Lee
Young-Kyu
YK
Ku
Young
Y
Rhyu
In-Chul
IC
Han
Soo-Boo
SB
Choi
Sang-Mook
SM
Chung
Chong-Pyoung
CP
D000328:Adult; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000502:physiology; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000601:surgery*; D005893:Gingivoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000637:transplantation*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome