Comparison of connective tissue graft and a xenogenic collagen matrix in the root coverage of single gingival recession in thin gingival phenotype
Gingival Recession. Collagen Matrix. Root Coverage. Clinical Trial.
Gingival recession may cause dental hypersensitivity, esthetical discomfort and increase the prevalence of carious or non-carious cervical lesion. Root coverage procedures using grafts placement has been the gold standard on this treatment. AIM: To compare the root coverage performed connective tissue graft and collagen matrix using the extended flap technique in single gingival recessions in thin gingival phenotype, at 6 months of follow-up. METHOD: This controlled, randomized, double-blind, split-mouth, clinical trial evaluated 28 patients with bilateral gingival recession subjected to root coverage procedure through extended flap technique with subepithelial connective tissue graft (control) and xenogenic collagen matrix (test). The parameters evaluated were deep on probing, gingival recession, clinical attachment level, keratinized mucosa and bleeding on probing for teeth that received the graft and the distal and mesial teeth. In addition, gingival thickness and gingival phenotype change of the teeth that received the grafts, postoperative pain and quality of life through Oral Health-Related Quality of Life, at baseline, three and six months after surgery. The data were statistically analyzed through the tests of Friedman, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, Qui-quadrado, McNemar, ANOVA and t Test. The significance level of 5% was pre-estlablished. RESULTS: 14 men and 14 women were included, with an average of 30.3 years (± 6.2). Statistically significant reductions were observed for gingival recession and clinical attachment level significant increase of both teeth of the grafts (p <0.001), distal (p=0.001) and mesial (p<0.001) teeth, within each group and in both treatment groups, during the follow-up. In addition, there was keratinized mucosa significant increase (p <0.001) and gingival thickness (p<0.001) of the teeth that received the grafts, with statistical difference between groups. The treatment protocol was able to improve the quality of lite (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Both treatments resulted in improved clinical parameters at six months of follow-up. The collagen matrix represents an excellent alternative to the subepithelial connective tissue graft in the treatment of single gingival recessions in thin gingival phenotype.