Subepithelial connective tissue graft in the treatment of multiple gingival recession

Objectives. There is a paucity of data on the coverage of multiple recessions. The aim of this study was to compare clinical results of connective tissue graft (CTG) combined with tunnel surgical techniques in the treatment of multiple adjacent gingival recessions. Study design. The treatment outcome of 28 recessions of Miller Class I and 20 recessions of Miller Class II in 18 patients was compared. Clinical evaluation, taken before the surgery as well as 6 and 12 months afterwards, included recession height, recession width, keratinized tissue width, and probing depth. Results. No differences of recession coverage comparing recession class I and recession class II were found (mean coverage 99.1% and 98.9%, respectively). Twelve months after surgery, 79.2% of recession class I and 72.2% of recession class II were entirely covered. Conclusions. Surgical treatment of multiple recessions using CTG in combination with the tunnel technique resulted in significant root coverage of both class I and class II recessions, and increased keratinized gingival width.