Utilization of two different surgical techniques in gingival recession treatment: A comparative study

INTRODUCTION: Gingival recession is a displacement of gingival margin apically to cement-enamel junction. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the results achieved with two different surgical procedures used in gingival recession treatment. METHODS: Ten patients with bilateral buccal recession on maxillary canines or premolars were included in the study. Professional teeth cleaning was performed before surgery. Recession on the experimental side was treated with connective tissue graft in combination with coronally advanced, split thickness flap (tunnel technique). Control side recession was treated with connective tissue graft in combination with trapezoidal coronally advanced, full thickness flap. Coin toss was used for side decision. The following parameters were evaluated before surgery and 6 months post-op: Vertical Recession Dimension, Clinical Attachment Level, Apico-coronal width of the keratinized tissue, Healing index (Laundry), RES index, and Patient evaluation of esthetic results. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Six months after surgery, mean root coverage was 91.5 +/- 14.1% and 90.1 +/- 14.6% on the experimental and on the control side, respectively. RES index, Healing index (Laundry) and Patient Subjective evaluation of esthetic results showed significantly better results (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both surgical procedures produce highly successful clinical results based on evaluated parameters, but this tunnel technique provides significantly better esthetic results.