Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft in Combination with a Tunnel Technique for the Treatment of Miller Class II and III Gingival Recessions in Mandibular Incisors: Clinical and Esthetic Results

Treatment of deep single RT2 and RT3 antero-mandibular gingival recessions with a combination of surgical techniques: A case series study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate root coverage (RC) in deep single antero-mandibular RT2 and RT3 gingival recessions (GR) and to investigate the influence of several factors in RC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifteen single antero-mandibular GR with a minimum depth of 3 mm were consecutively treated with a new one-stage technique (laterally positioned flap with a tunnel access and a connective tissue graft). At baseline and at 12-month follow-up, the percentage of mean root coverage (%MRC), the recession reduction (RecRed), complete root coverage (CRC) and the gain of keratinized tissue width (KTW) were assessed. Descriptive, intergroup comparative and correlation analyses were performed.

RESULTS

At 12 months, a %MRC of 77.29 ± 21.48% with a mean RecRed of 4.10 ± 1.51 mm was achieved. The %MRC was 84.71 ± 21.08% in RT2, and 62.43 ± 14.17% in RT3. The mean gain of KTW was 2.10 ± 0.89 mm, with a mean gain of 2.0 ± 1.03 mm for RT2 and 2.3 ± 0.57 mm for RT3. CRC was observed in six cases, all of them being RT2. A positive association was found between the %MRC and the initial position of the tooth and of both papillae.

CONCLUSIONS

This technique might be a valuable approach for the treatment of deep single antero-mandibular RT2 and RT3 recessions, even in malpositioned teeth.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

A combination of different surgical techniques could provide greater vascularization to the CTG especially in malpositioned teeth in sextant V with a large avascular area to be covered.

Influence of vestibular depth on the outcomes of root coverage therapy: A prospective case series study

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of vestibular depth (VD) on the outcomes of root coverage therapy.

METHODS

Patients presenting gingival recession defects (GRD) with a minimum depth of 2 mm underwent root coverage therapy consisting of a coronally advanced flap plus a connective tissue graft (CAF + CTG). Clinical examinations were performed, and intraoral scans were obtained at baseline, 3 and 6 months after surgery to assess changes in probing depth (PD), keratinized tissue width (KTW), recession depth (RD), GRD area, marginal gingival thickness (MGT), and VD. The influence of VD on percentage of root coverage (%RC) and the likelihood of achieving complete root coverage (CRC) were explored.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients were enrolled, and 44 teeth were treated. RD decreased and MGT increased in all treated sites. At 6 months, mean %RC was 87.47 ± 18.37 and CRC was observed in 61.4% of sites. Mean baseline VD was 7.33 ± 2.67 mm. Mean VD reduction from baseline to 6 months was 1.98 ± 1.27 mm. %RC and CRC were significantly correlated with baseline VD. Each additional 1 mm of baseline VD implied a gain of 6.58% for %RC and increased 2.75 times the probability of achieving CRC. Narrow baseline KTW and mandibular arch location were associated with inferior treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Lower %RC and likelihood of achieving CRC can be expected after root coverage therapy via CAF + CTG in sites presenting a shallow vestibulum.

Clinical Outcomes of the Double Lateral Sliding Bridge Flap Technique with Simultaneous Connective Tissue Graft in Sextant V Recessions: Three-Year Follow-Up Study

The presence of isolated or multiple gingival recessions in the mandibular anterior region is a challenge for the clinician, as they may be associated with a shallow vestibule, high frenum insertion and/or little or no attached gingiva. Only limited evidence is available on the use of the double lateral sliding bridge flap technique with connective tissue graft (CTG) technique for treating gingival recessions in the mandibular anterior region. The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the clinical and esthetic outcomes of the double lateral sliding bridge flap technique with CTG on isolated and multiple gingival recessions at the level of the mandibular incisors. Nine patients required treatment of gingival recessions in the mandibular incisors at the University of Salamanca (Spain) (seven females, two males; mean age: 27.9 ± 6.9) with a total of 14 isolated (42.9%) and multiple (57.1%) Miller class II and III gingival recessions. After a mean follow-up of 36 months, the mean percentage of root coverage was 80.5% for all treated recessions. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05), were observed for reduction in recession depth, increased width of keratinized tissue and increased gingival thickness, this being dependent on the Miller class. The esthetic outcome was acceptable, with a final mean esthetic score of 7.4 out of 10. The double lateral sliding bridge flap surgical technique with CTG is an effective procedure for the coverage of isolated and multiple gingival recessions in the anterior mandibular region, as it offers satisfactory esthetic results.

Coronally Advanced Flap with Connective Tissue Graft for Treating Orthodontic-Associated Miller Class III Gingival Recession of the Lower Incisors: A One-Year Retrospective Study

(1) Background: To assess the clinical outcome of coronally advanced flap combined with connective tissue graft for the treatment of orthodontic-associated Miller Class III gingival recession of the lower incisors. (2) Methods: This study included 15 patients who had undergone orthodontic treatment prior to development of recession. Measurements of recession depth, recession width, probing depth, and width of keratinized tissue were performed clinically immediately before surgery and after one year. In addition, digital measurements of recession depth, recession width, and root coverage esthetic score were performed on intraoral photographs. (3) Results: Significant reduction was observed for probing depth, recession depth, and recession width at one year, with significant increase in width of keratinized tissue. Mean root coverage was 83 ± 24% for recession depth, while complete root coverage was achieved in 10 out of 21 recessions (48%). The average root coverage esthetic score at 12 months was 7.1 ± 2.6. An interaction was found between initial recession depth and mean root coverage. (4) Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, our results confirm that combination of coronally advanced flap and connective tissue graft is effective in reducing post-orthodontic Miller Class III recessions of the mandibular incisors, even when the correction of the tooth malposition, is unattainable.

Complete root coverage in the treatment of Miller class III or RT2 gingival recessions: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The primary objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the evidence on complete root coverage (CRC) achieved by periodontal plastic techniques in the treatment of Miller class III/RT2 gingival recessions, comparing techniques developed along the twentieth century (pre-twenty-first) versus surgical approaches of the twenty-first century (21st).

Methods

An electronic bibliographic search was carried out in four databases up to December 2019, focusing on studies that reported CRC results in Miller class III or RT2 recessions treatment with at least a six-month follow-up. In addition, a random-effects models’ meta-analysis was performed for the CRC, comparing pre-twenty-first versus twenty-first century techniques at 6 months, 12 months and more than 12 months.

Results

Thirty-seven publications were included. A total of 933 gingival recessions were treated, 298 with pre-twenty-first century surgical techniques and 635 with techniques from the twenty-first century. CRC was achieved at 6 months on half of the recessions (pre-twenty-first: 57.60% vs. 21st: 51.11%), but decreased markedly for twenty-first century techniques at 12 months (pre-twenty-first: 63.82% vs. 21st: 32.87%). Thereafter, this difference was the other way around (> 12 months: pre-twenty-first: 5.26% vs. 21st: 19.65%). The meta-analysis showed a high heterogeneity, with no significant differences amongst the techniques.

Conclusions

Although CRC might be achievable by treating Miller class III or RT2 recessions with any of the described techniques, its long-term stability is not predictable. More randomized clinical trials with longer follow-ups and several visits, are needed. In addition, the patient’s satisfaction should also be assessed.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12903-021-01494-3.

Effect of magnification on root coverage surgery

Root coverage surgery can be performed in patients with gingival recession to cover the exposed root aiming to control hypersensitivity and promotes better aesthetic. Optical magnification has been proposed as a refinement in this surgical technique to increase root coverage. This approach may lead to enhanced soft tissue stability, less post-operative discomfort, better predictability and esthetic appearance. Aim: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of magnification on root coverage surgery when compared to procedures performed without magnification. Methods: Randomized controlled trials with a follow-up of at least 6 months that compared surgeries for root coverage performed under optic magnification versus conventional (macro) root coverage surgery were screened. The primary outcome was mean root coverage (mm) (MRC) and secondary outcomes were percentage of root coverage (PRC) and complete root coverage (CRC). Results: Of 569 papers relevant to this review, seven were included. Meta-analysis showed that the use of magnification may favor greater PRC (7.38%, 95% CI 3.66-11.09). Conclusion: Magnification can increase PRC in root coverage surgeries. More randomized trials with the use of magnification may be necessary to verify if this benefit is clinically relevant, in order to justify the use of this device.