Effect of connective tissue graft orientation on root coverage and gingival augmentation

The present study was undertaken to assess the width of keratinized tissue and root coverage achieved when orienting the superficial surface of a connective tissue graft toward either the gingival flap or the root surface. Sixteen pairs of bilateral gingival recessions (Miller Class I and II) in 13 subjects were divided into two groups. In each subject, one side received a connective tissue graft with its superficial surface facing the gingival flap, while the contralateral side received a connective tissue graft with its superficial surface facing the root surface. Plaque Index, Gingival Index, probing depth, gingival recession, and relative clinical attachment level were recorded at baseline and 3 months postoperative. Root length was measured on periapical radiographs to calculate the percentage of actual root coverage. ANOVA was used to detect significant differences between the two treatment groups. The results indicated that surface orientation of a connective tissue graft has no significant effect on the clinical outcome of either root coverage or gingival augmentation.