Dimensional changes during early healing after a subepithelial connective tissue graft procedure.
BACKGROUND
The subepithelial connective tissue graft (CTG) is a popular means to treat gingival recession and augment keratinized tissue. Studies exist that examine long-term outcomes of this procedure; however, changes in tissue dimensions during early healing (0 to 21 days postoperatively) are unknown. The aim of this study is to examine bucco-lingual tissue dimension (gingival tissue thickness [GT]) changes during early CTG healing using a non-invasive technique.


METHODS
Thirteen patients who had treatment planned for CTG on a single tooth were recruited for the study. Using a customized acrylic stent, GT was measured preoperatively, at surgery completion, and at 3, 7, 14, and 21 days postoperatively. CTG was performed using an envelope technique. GT changes were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance.


RESULTS
All CTG procedures were considered successful with no postoperative complications. GT increased 1.5 mm immediately after surgery (baseline) compared to the preoperative measurement. GT increased on average 96%, 47%, and 2% compared to baseline at days 3, 7, and 14, respectively. Day 3 and day 7 measurements were significantly different from baseline (P <0.001). At day 21, GT decreased 15% compared to baseline, with an average increase of 1.29 mm from preoperative measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
The early postoperative healing of CTGs used for root coverage exhibits a significant but transient increase in bucco-lingual tissue dimension. The observed increase in bucco-lingual tissue dimension subsides by the end of the second postoperative week.
Division of Periodontology, College of Dentistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH.
Shaun A
SA
Rotenberg
Dimitris N
DN
Tatakis
D000328:Adult; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010517:Periodontics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000637:transplantation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
Clinical trial; gingiva; gingival recession; transplantation, autologous; wound healing