Expanded mesh connective tissue graft for the treatment of multiple gingival recessions.

BACKGROUND

The connective tissue graft procedure is an effective method to achieve root coverage. Although multiple sites often need grafting, the palatal mucosa supplies only a limited area of grafting material. The expanded mesh graft provides a method whereby a graft can be stretched to cover a larger area. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and the predictability of expanded mesh connective tissue graft (e-MCTG) in the treatment of multiple gingival recessions.

METHODS

Fifty-two buccal gingival recessions were treated in 10 systemically healthy patients. Fifteen recession treated operation sites with at least three adjacent Miller Class I and/or II recessions were performed. The connective tissue graft obtained from the palatal mucosa was expanded to cover the recipient bed, which was 1.5 times larger than the graft. Clinical measurements recorded at baseline and 12 months postoperatively included gingival recession depth (RD), gingival recession width (RW), percentage root coverage (RC), probing depth (PD), width of keratinized tissue (KT), and clinical attachment level (CAL).

RESULTS

Twelve months after surgery, a statistically significant gain in CAL (3.2 +/- 0.8 mm, P < 0.001) and increase in KT (1.2 +/- 0.4, P < 0.001) were assessed. In 80% of the treated sites, 100% RC was achieved (mean 96%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrated that the use of e-MCTG technique allowed the treatment of multiple adjacent recessions with adequate wound healing and highly predictable root coverage. This procedure can be applied favorably in treating multiple gingival recessions in one surgery.