Root coverage of gingival recessions with non-carious cervical lesions: a controlled clinical trial

Objective The non-carious cervical lesion (NCCL) is commonly produced by improper toothbrushing techniques, occlusion trauma, anatomic mal-positioned teeth, and acid erosion, thus sharing the same etiology of gingival recession (GR). The association of a graft to the coronally advanced flap had demonstrated the best long-term outcome for root coverage (RC). However, substitutes for the autogenous graft must be studied. This split-mouth clinical trial investigates the RC and the increase in keratinized tissue (KT) when comparing RC of NCCLs associated with GR with intact roots using an extended coronally advanced flap (ECAF) associated with the acellular dermal matrix graft (ADMG), a connective tissue replacement graft. Material and methods Seventeen individuals with bilateral GR were included in the study. One side had a NCCL (TG) and the opposite root was intact (CG). All patients were treated with the ECDF associated with ADMG. All clinical parameters were assessed at baseline and 6 months postoperative. Results Root coverage means (CG, 69.5 +/- 19 and TG. 72.2 +/- 16.5; p value = 0.849570) were not significantly different between control and test groups. In addition, the KT had an increase in the follow-up period for both groups. Conclusion GR associated with NCCLs can be successfully treated with the ECDF and ADMG.