Root Coverage for Recession Defects

Evaluating the effectiveness of different root coverage procedures in the treatment of re­cession-type defects, this re­trospective study by a Cham­brone, et al was recently published in the Journal of Perio­dontology Online. The study searched the Cochrane Oral Health Group’s Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE up to Oct­ober 2008. There were no restrictions with regard to publication status or language of publication, and the researchers only in­cluded randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) of at least 6 months’ duration evaluating recession areas (Miller’s Class I or II ≥ 3 mm) and that were treated by means of periodontal plastic surgery procedures. The results of the literary review indicated that there was a significantly greater re­duction in gingival recession and gain in keratinized tissue for subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) when compared to guided tissue regeneration with resorbable membranes (GTR rm). A significantly greater gain in keratinized tissue was found for enamel matrix protein when compared to coronally ad­vanced flap (0.40 mm) and for SCTG when compared to GTR rm plus bone substitutes. The review found that there were limited data exist regarding aesthetic condition change related to patients’ opinion and patients’ preference for a specific procedure.