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A Novel Approach to Monitoring Graft Neovascularization in the Human Gingiva
Published on: January 12, 2019
Guided tissue regeneration in human gingival recessions. A 10-year follow-up study
Leonardo Trombelli1, Luigi Minenna, Roberto Farina
1Research Centre for the Study of Periodontal Diseases, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. l.trombelli@unife.it
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes of the mucogingival complex of guided tissue regeneration (GTR)-treated gingival recession defects over a 10-year follow-up.
Methods:
The study population consisted of 20 patients, 11 males and nine females, mean age: 44.3+/-10.4 years, each contributing one recession defect treated with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. Eight patients were smokers at the time of surgery and at 10 years post-surgery. Recession depth (RD), probing depth clinical attachment level (CAL), and width of keratinized gingiva (KG) were assessed immediately before surgery, at 6 months, 4 years and 10 years post-surgery.
Results:
RD was 0.9+/-0.6 mm at 6 months, 1.0+/-1.3 mm at 4 years and 1.3+/-1.6 mm at 10 years. CAL amounted to 1.9+/-1.0 mm at 6 months and shifted to 2.2+/-1.4 and 2.6+/-1.6 mm at 4 years and 10 years, respectively. KG significantly increased following surgery and remained stable thereafter. At 10-year examination, no significant changes from 4-year evaluation were observed. Differences in periodontal parameters between smokers and non-smokers were not statistically significant.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the results of the present study failed to demonstrate changes over time in the clinical outcome achieved following GTR procedure in gingival recession defects over a period between 4 and 10 years post-surgery.
