• DOI:10.1902/JOP.2004.75.3.413
• Corpus ID: 18982332

Root coverage using the coronally positioned flap with or without a subepithelial connective tissue graft.

@article{daSilva2004RootCU,
  title={Root coverage using the coronally positioned flap with or without a subepithelial connective tissue graft.},
  author={Robert Carvalho da Silva and J{\'u}lio C{\'e}sar Joly and Ant{\^o}nio Fernando Martorelli de Lima and Dimitris N. Tatakis},
  journal={Journal of periodontology},
  year={2004},
  volume={75 3},
  pages={
          413-9
        }
}

• R. C. da Silva, J. C. Joly, +1 author D. Tatakis
• Published 1 March 2004
• Medicine
• Journal of periodontology

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.