The effects of connective tissue graft position on clinical and aesthetical outcomes of gingival recession treatment: a controlled randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: This randomized controlled clinical trial with 1-year follow-up compared the clinical and aesthetic results of coronally advanced flap (CAF) + connective tissue graft (CTG) positioned apical to the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) (CAF + CTG-ACEJ) with CAF + CTG positioned on the CEJ (CAF + CTG-CEJ) for treating isolated gingival recession defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with recession type 1 (RT 1) with a depth ≥ 3, gingival recessions were enrolled. Nineteen patients were randomly assigned to the CAF + CTG-ACEJ group or CAF + CTG-CEJ group. Clinical and aesthetical evaluations were made at 6 and 12 months. RESULTS: While the 6 months results showed that both surgical techniques were similar for clinical outcomes, the results achieved at the 6th month were more stable in the CAF + CTG-ACEJ group at the 12th month with significantly better recession depth, mean, and complete root coverage values and aesthetical results. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated gingival recession defects can be clinically successfully treated by both CAF + CTG-ACEJ and CAF + CTG-CEJ techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Limited studies have compared the clinical and aesthetical effects of positioning CTG apical to the CEJ for the treatment of gingival recessions. This randomized clinical study showed that CAF + CTG-ACEJ technique can provide additional benefit for the treatment. The described technique is effective in obtaining better long-term CRC stability and aesthetics.