Tunnel Technique With Collagen Matrix Compared With Connective Tissue Graft for Treatment of Periodontal Recession: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to compare efficacy of the tunnel technique for root coverage using collagen matrix (CM) versus connective tissue graft (CTG) for treatment of multiple recessions of Miller Classes I and II over a short period of time.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients were enrolled in the study. Patients in the control group were treated with the tunnel technique using CTGs, whereas patients in the test group were treated with the tunnel technique using xenogeneic CM. Clinical recordings were obtained at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Percentages of average recession coverage (ARC) and complete recession coverage (CRC) were evaluated 3 and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Significant decreases were recorded in both groups of recession parameters compared with baseline measurements. Mean recession depth (0.21 versus 0.39 mm) and recession area (0.31 versus 0.53 mm2) after 6 months were significantly higher in the test group (P <0.05). Mean keratinized tissue width (KTW) increased at a similar rate in both groups (1.0 versus 0.8 mm for control and test groups, respectively). ARC after 6 months was 95% in the control group and 91% in the test group (P <0.05), and CRC was 71.4% (10/14) in the control group and 14.3% (2/14) in the test group (P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

Xenogeneic CM combined with tunnel technique leads to satisfactory ARC and increase in KTW similar to CTG, but yields lower unsatisfactory CRC.