Long-term evaluation (7 years) of coronally advanced flap with (CAF) and without (e-CAF) vertical release incisions using a subepithelial connective tissue graft in the treatment of multiple recession-type defects.

Abstract

The objective of this retrospective study was to compare the 7-year outcomes of coronally advanced flap with vertical incisions (CAF) and the envelope type of flap (e-CAF), using a subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) in the treatment of multiple recession defects. Twenty-two patients (13 CAF and 9 e-CAF) with at least two adjacent recession defects in the esthetic zone contributed to a total of 50 sites (29 CAF and 21 e-CAF). Complete root coverage (CRC), mean root coverage (MRC), and keratinized tissue (KT) width were recorded over the course of the study. In the short term (8 months), CRC, MRC, and KT outcomes were similar between the groups (P > .05). However, at the 3-year follow-up, the e-CAF group displayed significantly higher KT, MRC (100%), and CRC (100% at both tooth- and patient-levels) than the CAF group (MRC 91.43%; CRC 79.31% at tooth-level and 69.23% at patient-level). Similarly, at the 7-year follow-up, statistically significantly superior KT, MRC (94.24%), and CRC (87.71% at tooth-level and 77.78% at patient-level) values were recorded for the e-CAF group compared to the CAF group (MRC 68.98%; CRC 31.03% at tooth-level and 15.38% at patient-level). Despite similar treatment outcomes recorded by both surgical procedures in the short term, sites treated with e-CAF showed better stability of the gingival margin and superior KT width in the medium (3 years) and long term (7 years).