2012 Volume 3 Issue 2 Pages 61-69
Statement of problem: The coronally advanced flap combined with free connective tissue graft is a predictable method for achieving root coverage in buccal gingival recession. The only major disadvantage is requirement of a second surgical donor site. Purpose: This study evaluates the amount of root coverage obtained by the free rotated papilla autograft with coronally advanced flap (FRPA+CAF) using microsurgical aids in the treatment of shallow buccal recession. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 isolated recession sites (2.5 – 4 mm) in 24 patients were selected and treated with microsurgically performed free rotated papilla autograft with a coronally advanced flap (FRPA+CAF). Clinical parameters such as recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), width of keratinized gingival (WKG), and papilla height and width at the donor site were evaluated and compared at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Results: The mean preoperative recession height was 2.87 ± 0.50 mm. The mean postoperative recession height at the 3rd month was 0.13 ± 0.5 mm, whereas the mean recession height at the end of the study (6th month) was 0.4 ± 0.81 mm. The mean recession height coverage at the end of the study was 84.79%. The root coverage was 100% in 24 out of 30 sites. There was a statistically significant difference in RW, CAL and WKG. Conclusion: Periodontal microsurgery using FRPA+CAF is an effective and stable method for root coverage in shallow localized gingival recession. Further studies are needed to evaluate its efficacy with respect to other conventional root coverage procedures.
