Root coverage procedures for treating single and multiple recession-type defects: An updated Cochrane systematic...

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Regenerative Dentistry
• Evidence-Based Dentistry

Background:

• Gingival recession (GR) affects oral health and aesthetics.
• Root coverage (RC) procedures aim to restore lost gum tissue.
• Systematic reviews are crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and compare the effectiveness of various root coverage procedures for treating single and multiple gingival recessions.
• To analyze outcomes based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Main Methods:

• Inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a minimum 6-month follow-up.
• Focus on Miller's Class I or II gingival recessions (≥3 mm).
• Meta-analyses using random effects models.

Main Results:

• Subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) + coronally advanced flap (CAF) demonstrated greater gingival recession reduction compared to guided tissue regeneration with resorbable membranes (GTR rm) + CAF.
• SCTG + CAF also resulted in significantly greater gains in keratinized tissue width (KTW) than enamel matrix derivative (EMD) + CAF and GTR rm + CAF.
• Insufficient evidence to differentiate GR reduction or KTW gain between acellular dermal matrix grafts (ADMG) + CAF and SCTG + CAF.

Conclusions:

• Subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG), with or without other biomaterials, are effective for treating gingival recessions.
• Acellular dermal matrix grafts (ADMG) show promise as a substitute for SCTG, yielding comparable outcomes.