Open flap debridement in combination with acellular dermal matrix allograft for the prevention of postsurgical gingival recession: a case series.

Open flap debridement with flap repositioning may result in significant gingival recession. Patients with chronic periodontitis were treated with open flap debridement followed by placement of an acellular dermal matrix allograft (ADMA) underneath the flap to minimize the occurrence of postsurgical gingival recession. Ten patients (total, 60 teeth) with periodontal pockets in the anterior dentition underwent open flap debridement combined with ADMA. Probing pocket depth, relative attachment level, and relative gingival margin level were recorded at baseline and 6 months postsurgery. The mean probing pocket depth at baseline and 6 months was 4.4 and 1.7 mm, respectively (P < .05); the mean relative attachment level at baseline and 6 months was 12.9 and 10.7 mm, respectively (P < .05); and the mean relative gingival margin level at baseline and 6 months was 8.4 and 9.0 mm, respectively. ADMA underneath the flap when combined with open flap debridement effectively minimizes postsurgical gingival recession.