Treatment of Gingival Recessions with Connective Tissue or Concentrated Growth Factor Membrane Using Tunnel Technique

Clinical Evaluation of the Treatment of Multiple Gingival Recessions with Connective Tissue Graft or Concentrated Growth Factor Membrane Using Tunnel Technique: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

This randomized controlled clinical study aimed to evaluate the success of the combination of tunnel technique and concentrated growth factor membrane for root coverage in treating multiple gingival recessions and compare with the gold standard connective tissue graft.

The study included 108 defects in 40 patients with Miller Class I and II gingival recession. Gingival recession defects were randomly divided into two groups. Tunnel technique + connective tissue graft was applied to 20 patients in the control group (51 defects) and tunnel technique + concentrated growth factor membrane was applied to 20 patients in the test group (57 defects). The results at baseline and 6 months were evaluated for the following clinical parameters: Mean root coverage, complete root coverage, probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival recession depth, gingival recession width, keratinized tissue width and gingival thickness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age ≥18 years
• periodontally and systemically healthy
• presence of Miller I or II class gingival recession defect in at least two teeth on the buccal aspect of incisors, canine and premolar teeth (≥ 2 mm in depth)
• gingival thickness ≥ 0.8 mm 2 mm apical to the gingival margin
• presence of identifiable cementoenamel junction (CEJ) (step ≤1 mm at the CEJ level and/or presence of a root irregularity/abrasion with identifiable CEJ was accepted
• full-mouth plaque score (FMPS) ≤20%.

Exclusion Criteria:

• smoking
• contraindications for surgical periodontal treatment
• presence of recession defects associated caries, restoration and furcation problems
• use of systemic antibiotics for any reason in the last 3 months.