title: Connective tissue graft associated or not with low laser therapy to treat gingival recession: randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To evaluate the treatment of gingival recession with a connective tissue graft (CTG) alone or in combination with low-level laser therapy (CTG + L).
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients presenting 40 Miller Class I and II gingival recessions were included. The defects were randomly assigned to receive either CTG (n = 20) or CTG + L (n = 20). A diode laser (660 nm) was applied to the test sites immediately after surgery and every other day for 7 days (eight applications).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean percentage of root coverage was 91.9% for the test group and 89.48% for the control group after 6 months (p > 0.05). The test group presented more complete root coverage (n = 13, 65%) than the control group (n = 7, 35%) (p = 0.04). Dentine sensitivity decreased significantly after 6 months in both groups (p < 0.001). The two groups showed improvement in aesthetics at the end of treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low-level laser therapy may increase the percentage of complete root coverage when associated with CTG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, College of Dentistry - FOSJC, UNESP - State University of São Paulo, São José dos Campos, Brazil.
authors.forename: Stephanie B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Fernandes-Dias
authors.forename: Andrea C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: de Marco
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Santamaria
authors.forename: Warley D
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Kerbauy
authors.forename: Maria A N
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Jardini
authors.forename: Mauro P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Santamaria
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001641:Bicuspid / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000637:transplantation; D003481:Cuspid / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D003807:Dentin Sensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004955:Esthetics, Dental; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000637:transplantation*; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000145:classification / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000145:classification; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000145:classification; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: aesthetic; clinical trial; gingival recession; low-level laser therapy; periodontal surgery