Clinical evaluation of alloderm for root coverage and colour match

BACKGROUND: Predictable root coverage and good colour match are the major therapeutic end points in the treatment of gingival recession. Alloderm has been used as a substitute to connective tissue graft, but its colour match in populations with a high degree of melanin pigmentation has not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an Acellular dermal matrix graft for root coverage procedures and to objectively analyze the post-operative esthetics using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Both male and female patients were selected, aged 20-50 years presenting with aesthetic problems due to the exposure of recession defects when smiling. A total of 14 patients contributed to 15 sites, each site falling into Miller's class I or class II gingival recession. RESULTS: A total of 15 sites were treated and a mean coverage of (85.56±21.70 and 83.33±21.82%) was obtained at the end of 3(rd) and 12(th) month respectively. A mean VAS score of 7.93±1.03 and 8.13±0.99 (3(rd) and 12(th) month) and 5.73±0.70 and 6.87±0.83 (3(rd) and 12(th) month) was obtained when the colour match recorded by the patients and an independent observer, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study showed that acellular dermal matrix graft (alloderm) may be successfully used to treat gingival recession, as adequate root coverage may be predictably obtained. The grafted areas underwent melanization from the 6(th) month onwards and complete blending with the adjacent sites was obtained at 1 year.