title: A 3-year longitudinal evaluation of subpedicle free connective tissue graft for gingival recession coverage.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and BK21HLS, College of Dentistry, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Moo
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yang-Jo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Seol
authors.forename: Young-Kyu
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.forename: In-Chul
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Rhyu
authors.forename: Soo-Boo
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Sang-Mook
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Chong-Pyoung
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: 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