Root coverage using the coronally positioned flap with or without a subepithelial connective tissue graft.
BACKGROUND
Various surgical techniques have been proposed for treating gingival recession. This randomized clinical trial compared the coronally positioned flap (CPF) alone or in conjunction with a subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) in the treatment of gingival recession.


METHODS
Eleven non-smoking subjects with bilateral and comparable Miller Class I recession defects were selected. The defects, at least 3.0 mm deep, were randomly assigned to the test (CPF + SCTG) or control group (CPF alone). Recession depth (RD), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), width of keratinized tissue (KT), and gingival/mucosal thickness (GT) were assessed at baseline and 6 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
Recession depth was significantly reduced 6 months postoperatively (P<0.05) for both groups. Mean root coverage was 75% and 69% in the test and control groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between the two groups in RD, PD, or CAL, either at baseline or at 6 months postoperatively. However, at 6 months postoperatively, the test group showed a statistically significant increase in KT and GT compared to the control group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that both surgical approaches are effective in addressing root coverage. However, when an increase in gingival dimensions (keratinized tissue width, gingival/mucosal thickness) is a desired outcome, then the combined technique (CPF + SCTG) should be used.
da Silva
Robert Carvalho
RC
Department of Prosthodontics and Periodontics, School of Dentistry at Piracicaba, University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. dasilvarc@fop.unicamp.br
Joly
Julio César
JC
de Lima
Antonio Fernando Martorelli
AF
Tatakis
Dimitris N
DN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins; D008297:Male; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000145:classification; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007633:Keratins