Clinical Comparison of Two Surgical Techniques in the Treatment of Cairo RT2 Gingival Recessions Associated to Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft: Randomized Clinical Trial

Purpose: The treatment of advanced gingival recessions represents a clinical challenge due to lack of appropriate interdental support. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of root coverage in surgical techniques employed for Tunnel root coverage and Coronally Positioned Flap (CPF), both associated to Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft (SCTG), in patients with Cairo RT2 gingival recession.

Methods: Forty-one Cairo RT2 recessions were selected in 18 patients divided in groups to undergo root coverage surgery. The patients were evaluated at 0, 90, and 180 post-operative days for verification of the recession height and width, probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level, gingival thickness, and zone of keratinized tissue (P<0.05%).

Results: There was 1.84 ± 1.03 mm gain in gingival height in the Tunnel + SCTG group, and 2.33 ± 0.90 mm in CPF + SCTG group, without statistically significant differences between groups, and the coverage average was 62%. Full coverage was obtained in 17% of recessions.

Conclusion: The two techniques presented significant improvement in the periodontal parameters evaluated. Only the keratinized gingiva presented better outcomes in the CPF group.