The influence of local anatomy on the final outcome of connective tissue graft associated or not with low intensity laser therapy (LILT) to treat gingival recession

• Grant number: 13/16968-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2014
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Periodontology
• Principal Investigator: Mauro Pedrine Santamaria
• Grantee: Poliana Giacomin Tanobe
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia (ICT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de São José dos Campos. São José dos Campos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Gingival recession is a highly prevalent problem, and may reach 100% of individuals over 50 years old. The presence of the recession may lead to other problems such as tooth sensitivity, esthetic complaints, biofilm accumulation, root caries, and non-carious cervical lesions. To deal with gingival recessions, several surgical techniques have been developed. The most predictable results are achieved by coronally positioned flap (CAF), performed alone or associated with connective tissue graft (CTG). However, even when these techniques are performed, there is a great variation of results in relation to the average of root coverage (range 60-99%). One possible reason to explain this variation is the influence of the local anatomy. However, few studies have given attention on evaluating the possible influence the local anatomy in the outcome of root coverage procedures. Thus, the aim of the present study is to assess the influence of the local anatomy in the percentage of root coverage achieved by connective tissue graft associated or not with low-intensity laser therapy for tissue bio-stimulation (LILT) to treat gingival recession defect. Forty patients presenting gingival recession will be randomly allocated in two groups: Test Group (n=20), connective tissue graft associated with the application of low intensity laser (CTG+L) and the Control Group (n=20), connective tissue graft without the application of low intensity laser (CTG). The parameters of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), gingival recession (GR), gingival recession width (GRW), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), keratinized tissue height (KTH), keratinized tissue thickness (KTT), papillae width (PW), papillae height (PH), bone level (BL), and post-surgical position of the gingival margin (PGM) will be used in a stepwise multivariate linear regression analysis as independent variables to test their influence in the root coverage average after six months.