Modified tunnel technique applied in the treatment of gingival recessions with non-carious cervical lesion

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the clinical effect of modified tunnel technique (MTUN) in the treatment of gingival recession with non-carious cervical lesion (NCCL). Forty-two teeth with Miller I degree gingival recession were divided into the NCCL group or control group depending on whether NCCL was present. Both groups were treated with MTUN plus subepithelial connective tissue. The periodontal probing depth (PD), gingival recession height (GRH), gingival recession width (GRW), attached gingival width (AGW), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded before and at 3 and 6 months after operation. The mean root coverage (MRC) at 6 months after operation was calculated and analyzed. A root coverage esthetic scoring system was used to record aesthetic scores. GRH, GRW, and CAL of the two groups after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery, and no significant changes in PD and AGW were observed. The MRC in the NCCL group was 63.40%±28.02%, whereas that in the control group was 67.00%±21.72%; no significant difference between the two groups was found. In terms of aesthetic outcomes, no significant difference between groups was reported. MTUN can effectively improve gingival recession, and the presence of shallow NCCL (≤1 mm) will not affect the surgical effect of MTUN.