A Comparative Study of Root Coverage With Connective Tissue and Platelet Concentrate Grafts: 8-Month Results

Background: Gingival recession presents destruction of both soft and hard tissues. The objectives of this randomized clinical trial were to assess the clinical efficacy of platelet concentrate grafts (PCG) in the treatment of Miller Class I or II buccal gingival defects and to compare their soft tissue healing with those of subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG).

Methods: Seventeen arches in 15 patients with bilateral gingival recessions were treated with SCTG and PCG covered by coronally advanced flaps. Vertical recession depth (VRD), clinical attachment level (CAL), clinical probing depth (PD), and width of keratinized tissue (KTW) were measured preoperatively and 8 months postsurgery. Surveys on post-surgical discomfort level (PSDL) and manual platelet count were also performed. Esthetic outcomes were also evaluated. Paired t test, repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), and chi-square and signed-rank tests were used to access statistical significance (alpha = 0.05).

Results: Mean VRD statistically significantly decreased from 2.43 mm presurgery to 0.48 mm with PCG (80% root coverage) and from 2.48 mm to 0.17 mm with SCTG (95% root coverage). No statistically significant differences between the treatments were found for VRD, CAL, and KTW, while mean PD was significantly shallower in the PCG group (1.05 mm) than that in the SCTG group (1.79 mm). Complete coverage was achieved in 60% of the PCG group and in 65.5% of the SCTG group. PSDL was significantly lower in the PCG group 1 month post-surgery. Platelet counts demonstrated a five-fold increase in PC. Soft tissue in the PCG group demonstrated superior contour and texture matching when compared to the SCTG group.

Conclusions: The platelet concentrate graft may be an alternative graft material for treating gingival recession. Treatment with this graft may result in better esthetic appearance.