Treatment of Multiple Gingival Recessions Using Modified Tunnel Technique with V-reverse Sutures: A Report of Three Cases

Abstract

The clinical case series presents a minimally invasive modified tunnel procedure with autogenous connective tissue graft (CTG) using a V-reverse sutures to treat multiple gingival recessions. In periodontal and peri-implant plastic procedures, proper graft and flap stabilization are crucial in the outcomes. The coronally advanced flap allows for better access with the possibility of suturing the graft to the de-epithelialized papillae of the periosteum; there is little evidence with using the V-reverse sutures technique in stabilizing the graft and the flap when performing tunnel techniques (TUN). The following case series presents a minimally invasive modified tunnel procedure with autogenous CTG using V-reverse sutures to treat gingival recessions. Three patients with Miller Class I maxillary buccal gingival recessions defects were selected for this study. All subjects were treated with the minimally invasive modified tunnel technique with autogenous subepithelial CTG. V-reverse sutures technique was performed to further improve the stability of the graft at the recipient site. Clinical parameters, including mean recession depth and root coverage esthetic score (RES), were recorded at baseline, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1-year postoperative follow-up visits. At the 1-year follow-up, complete root coverage was achieved in multiple gingival recessions defect sites. In conclusion, this technique represents an alternative treatment for Miller Class I gingival recessions defects with clinical and esthetically satisfactory outcomes. Combining the advantages of V-reverse sutures and CTG in the treatment of gingival recessions is feasible and noninvasive.