After the Surgical crown lengthening, the patients were randomly allocated to the periodontal dressing group (PDG) and control group (CG - non-placement of periodontal dressing).

After surgery, the patients were randomly allocated to the periodontal dressing group (PDG) and control group (CG - non-placement of periodontal dressing).

After surgery,the dressing was mixed with a sterile spatula on a sterile glass plate following the manufacturer's instructions (2 cm of each paste measured with a sterile endodontic ruler). Coe-PakTM Regular was the dressing employed. Mixing and placement were performed only by the specialists in periodontics to ensure standardization. The dressing was inserted into the surgical wounds and molded to the necessary shape after setting sufficiently. The removal of the periodontal dressing was done after seven days.

Following removal of the dressing, the examiner determined the position of the gingival margin. This position was determined individually using the same procedure performed in the immediate postoperative period based on the previously recorded fixed reference points. The determination of gingival recession, position of the gingival margin and gingival swelling was performed categorically, using the gingival margin in the immediate postoperative period for comparison.

Infection was defined as present if the patient has at the surgical site, postoperative pain around the site, which increased in intensity at any time between 1 and 3 days after the procedure, with or without the presence of halitosis.