Clinical outcomes of root coverage with subepithelial connective tissue graft according to site specific factors - longitudinal retrospective clinical study

Objectives: This study investigated these possible correlations by a retrospective evaluation of patients with multiple GR treated with SCTG + CAF after 12 months postoperatively.

Methods: Data were collected before surgery and at 6- and 12-month follow-up related to depth (RD) and width (RW) of GR, width (KTW) and thickness (KTT) of keratinized tissue, bone dehiscence (BD), vertical (VC) and Additionally, data on the technique employed, Miller classification of GR and location of GR were analyzed. The values were described as means and standard deviations, and the variations of parameters were assessed by ANOVA for repeated measures and Tukey test or paired t test. Comparison between periodontal and nominal variables was performed by the t test, and the relationship between periodontal parameters was assessed by the Pearson correlation test. A significance level of 5% (p less than 0.05) was adopted.

Results: The results indicated significant reduction in RD, RW and SEN values and increase in KTW between the initial period and 6 and 12 months, but not between 6 and 12 months. The KTT was increased in all periods analyzed. The VC was greater in the maxilla at 6 months, but with no significant difference between 6 to 12 months. The same relationship was observed for RD between GR class I and II. At 12 months, no difference was observed between root coverage techniques employed.

Conclusion: It may be concluded that several site-specific and technical factors influencedxthe middle- and long-term results of root coverage in multiple GR.