Statement of the problem: Recently allogenic mesenchymal stem cells are proposed to have multipotential progenitor cell capabilities to differentiate into cementoblasts, osteoblasts, and periodontal ligament fibroblasts.
Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of human umbilical stem cells cultured on polylactic acid (PLA), polyglycolic acid (PGA) membrane with PLA/PGA membrane alone in the treatment of multiple gingival recession defects.
Materials and method: A total number of 14 cases of multiple gingival recession (Miller's Class I or II) located in the anterior region were randomly selected and divided into test (stem cells in combination with PLA/PGA membrane) and control group (PLA/PGA membrane alone). Clinical parameters including gingival recession, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment level, and width of keratinized gingiva were recorded at baseline, and at 6 months postoperative.
Results: At baseline, there was 2.28 mm and 2.14mm mean gingival recession at 16 sites and 14 sites in test and control groups respectively. At 6 months post-surgery, test group showed 1.57 mm mean reduction of gingival recession indicating 66% root coverage, while the control group showed 1.24mm mean reduction of gingival recession indicating 57% root coverage.
Conclusion: In the present study, the stem cell with PLA/PGA membrane showed significantly higher mean root coverage compared to only PLA/PGA membrane group.
Keywords: Gingival recession; Stem cells; PLA/PGA membrane.