Root surface demineralization by citric acid/tetracycline gel and aPDT associated to subepithelial connective tissue graft improves root coverage outcomes. A 12-month preliminary randomized clinical trial.

Root conditioners are used to promote root surface biomodification to increase the success rate of root coverage. Citric acid and tetracycline are commonly used. There is recent indication for using antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with this purpose. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of citric acid/tetracycline gel and aPDT in root coverage of gingival recessions using subepithelial connective tissue graft. This parallel, double-blinded clinical trial enrolled 17 patients (60 recession defects; 20/group). Experimental groups were: Control group (SRP) - scaling and root planing only; Citric acid/tetracycline gel (CAT) group - SRP plus citric acid/tetracycline gel; aPDT - SRP, toluidine blue O (100 μl/ml) and red laser. At baseline and after 3, 6 and 12 months, the clinical parameters were evaluated: recession depth (RD), percentage of root coverage (%RC), keratinized tissue width (KTW), soft tissue thickness (STT), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), dentin hypersensitivity (HYPER) and esthetic perception by patient (EST). CAT group presented reduction in PD, CAL, RD, increase in KTW and STT, higher %RC (81.6%) and better esthetic in relation to SRP group (p < .05). aPDT treatment promoted CAL reduction, gain of KTW and STT and higher %RC (82.1%) in relation to SRP (57.7%) (p < .05). There was a reduction in dentin sensitivity in all groups. Complete root coverage was higher for CAT group (65%) and aPDT group (70%) in relation to SRP (30%) (p < .05). Root conditioning, with citric acid/tetracycline gel and aPDT, promotes better long-term clinical outcomes and root coverage after SCTG procedures.