Root coverage using two surgical techniques with connective tissue graft or collagen matrix: A clinical trial

Area of Science:

• Periodontology
• Regenerative Dentistry

Background:

• Gingival recession affects numerous patients, leading to aesthetic concerns and potential root surface issues.
• Subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) is a gold standard for root coverage, but alternatives are sought.
• Xenogeneic collagen matrix (CMX) presents a potential substitute for autogenous grafts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of two surgical techniques (Bruno 1994, Barros et al. 2004) for treating bilateral gingival recession type 1 (BR1) defects.
• To evaluate the outcomes of using subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) versus xenogeneic collagen matrix (CMX) in these techniques.
• To assess clinical parameters, patient-reported outcomes, and post-operative pain.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized controlled trial involving eighteen patients with BR1 defects.
• Each patient received root coverage surgery on both sides using either the Bruno or Barros technique.
• Grafts used were randomly assigned as either SCTG or CMX to each side of the defect.

Main Results:

• Both techniques significantly reduced recession depth, achieving over 75% median root coverage.
• The Barros technique resulted in complete root coverage in 77.8% of sites for both graft types.
• CMX procedures demonstrated shorter surgical times and reduced post-operative pain compared to SCTG.

Conclusions:

• Both the Bruno and Barros surgical techniques are effective for treating RT1 gingival recessions.
• While SCTG showed slightly superior outcomes, CMX provides a viable alternative with advantages in surgical time and patient comfort.
• CMX offers comparable results to SCTG, making it a promising option for root coverage procedures.