Treatment of multiple adjacent recessions with the modified coronally advanced tunnel or laterally closed tunnel in conjunction with cross-linked hyaluronic acid and subepithelial connective tissue graft: a report of 15 cases.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the healing of multiple adjacent type 1 and 2 gingival recessions (RT1 and RT2) treated with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) or the laterally closed tunnel (LCT) in conjunction with a cross-linked hyaluronic acid and subepithelial palatal connective tissue grafts.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Fifteen healthy patients exhibiting multiple adjacent mandibular or maxillary RT1 and RT2 of a depth of ≥ 2 mm, were treated with the MCAT or LCT in conjunction with cross-linked hyaluronic acid and subepithelial palatal connective tissue grafts. Results were assessed at baseline and after a minimum of 6 months. The primary outcome variable was root coverage. Esthetic outcomes were evaluated on photographs using the root coverage esthetic score.

RESULTS

Postoperative pain and discomfort were low and no complications occurred. Data analyses were performed at patient level. After a mean follow-up of 17 ± 5.4 months, statistically significant root coverage was obtained in all 15 cases (P < .0001). Complete root coverage was obtained in 3 out of 15 cases (20%). Root coverage amounted to > 95% in three patients, was between 90% and 95% in four patients, and reached 87.5% in another patient. In three further patients root coverage measured 75%, 77%, and 64.6%, respectively. Mean root coverage measured 85.1 ± 23.2%. Mean keratinized tissue width increased from 2.5 ± 1.0 mm to 3.7 ± 0.7 mm (P < .0001) from baseline to follow-up, while mean probing depth showed no statistically significant changes (1.3 ± 0.5 mm vs 1.5 ± 0.5 mm). The mean root coverage esthetic score was 7.9 ± 1.9, while in the three cases exhibiting complete root coverage, a maximum root coverage esthetic score (10) was given for all treated teeth.

CONCLUSION

Within their limits, the present results indicate that the described treatment approach may lead to predictable root coverage of multiple mandibular and maxillary RT1 and RT2.