Effect of Periodontal Parameters on Root Coverage

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of periodontal clinical parameters on the treatment of gingival recession by means of a coronally positioned flap (CPF).

In this clinical study, the coronally positioned flap technique was used in a sample of 14 individuals with Miller's Class I or II gingival recession of the canines and/or maxillary premolars, totaling 39 recessions. The clinical periodontal parameters evaluated were: probing depth (PD), gingival recession height (GRH), gingival recession width (GRW), clinical attachment level (CAL), keratinized mucosa (KM), attached keratinized mucosa (AKM), gingival thickness (GT) and free gingival margin thickness (GMT). The degree of root coverage was evaluated 3 months after the surgical procedures were performed. The data were analyzed using Student's-t, Mann-Whitney and Pearson's correlation tests, as well as the Cohen's d.

After root coverage, there was no significant change in PD. Significant reductions in GRH and GRW were observed. In addition, a significant reduction in KM and AKM, and an increase in GMT were also observed. A significant negative correlation was found between initial GMT and gingival recession at 3 months, and a significant negative correlation between GT and periodontal recession at 3 months. There was large effect size for GRH, GRW, CAL, KM, AKM and GMT parameters.

The initial gingival recession height, keratinized mucosa and free gingival margin thickness were the parameters that had the most influence on root coverage by the coronal sliding flap technique.