Clinical Comparison of Full and Partial Double Pedicle Flaps with Connective Tissue Grafts for Treatment of Gingival Recession

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Gingival recession has been considered as the most challenging issue in the field of periodontal plastic surgery. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of root coverage procedures by using partial thickness double pedicle graft and compare it with full thickness double pedicle graft. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Eight patients, aged 15 to 58 years including 6 females and 2 males with 20 paired (mirror image) defects with class I and II gingival recession were randomly assigned into two groups. Clinical parameters such as recession depth, recession width, clinical attachment level, probing depth, and width of keratinized tissue were measured at the baseline and 6 months post-surgery. A mucosal double papillary flap was elevated and the respective root was thoroughly planed. The connective tissue graft was harvested from the palate, and then adapted over the root. The pedicle flap was secured over the connective tissue graft and sutured. The surgical technique was similar in the control group except for the prepared double pedicle graft which was full thickness. RESULTS: The mean root coverage was 88.14% (2.83 mm) in the test group and 85.7% (2.75 mm) in the control group. No statistical differences were found in the mean reduction of vertical recession, width of recession, or probing depth between the test and control groups. In both procedures, the width of keratinized tissue increased after three months and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant in this respect. CONCLUSION: Connective tissue with partial and full thickness double pedicle grafts can be successfully used for treatment of marginal gingival recession.