Suture Removal Timing and Its Effect on Root Coverage: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This single-blinded, randomized prospective clinical trial evaluated the impact of suture removal timing on the clinical outcomes of root coverage procedures. Patients presenting with multiple gingival recessions were allocated into one of three groups based on the timing of suture removal postsurgery: 1 week (TSR1), 2 weeks (TSR2), or 3 weeks (TSR3). The measured primary outcomes included percentage of root coverage (%RC) and complete root coverage (CRC), among other clinical outcomes. Data were collected at baseline (immediately preoperative) and at 3 and 6 months postoperative. At 6 months, the %RC was 58.4% (TSR1), 91.5% (TSR2), and 75.7% (TSR3). TSR2 achieved a 28.9% higher %RC than TSR1, while no significant differences were found between TSR2 and TSR3. CRC was achieved in 38.2%, 78.6%, and 62.5% of the TSR1, TSR2, and TSR3 groups, respectively. TSR2 resulted in a 5.92-fold increase in CRC compared to TSR1, whereas no significant difference was observed between TSR2 and TSR3. This suggests that a 2-week period before suture removal may optimize root coverage outcomes. However, extending suture removal timing beyond 2 weeks did not confer additional benefits. These findings are specific to the use of polypropylene and coronally advanced graft plus connective tissue graft.