Clinical Management of Gingival Recessions with or Without Cervical Lesions: A Decisional Scheme Proposal

Background: Treatment of gingival recessions starts from an accurate diagnosis considering both periodontal tissue status and adjacent exposed dental tissues. Based on current scientific evidence and the authors' clinical experience, a decisional scheme has been proposed for the management of gingival recession defects, with or without non-carious cervical lesions, taking into account gingival thickness and interproximal attachment levels. To illustrate its practical application, a series of representative clinical cases is presented, documenting the rationale and outcomes of the therapeutic decisions. Methods: According to the 2017 World Workshop Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions, the gingival recession defect classifications have been used to build up a decision-making therapeutic process. Combined periodontal and restorative treatments in presence or absence of dental lesions have been performed. Results: In case of an identifiable cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) with or without non-carious cervical lesions (class A+ and class A-, respectively) and absence of interproximal attachment loss (RT1), flap approaches alone or in combination with connective tissue graft (CTG) were suggested. In case of an unidentifiable CEJ without cervical lesion (class B-), flap approaches alone were proposed in presence of adequate residual keratinized tissue (KT) and absence of interproximal attachment loss (RT1); if KT is extremely reduced, flap approaches + CTG may be performed. If the unidentifiable CEJ is associated with cervical lesions involving both root and crown surfaces (class B+), the combined restorative-periodontal treatment results as the most indicated approach. The adjunctive use of CTG should be also considered in presence of interproximal attachment loss (RT2 and RT3) and reduced gingival thickness (<1 mm). Conclusions: The proposed decisional scheme could be useful to address the clinicians during the decision-making process in the treatment of gingival recessions.