BackgroundEarlier studies have not given clear results of concentrated growth factor (CGF) on gingival thickness (GT) in periodontal accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO). This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of CGF on GT in patients with thin gingival phenotype undergoing PAOO.MethodsForty four patients presenting 264 anterior mandibular teeth were recruited and randomly allocated to one of the groups: test—positioning of autologous CGF after PAOO or control—positioning of a collagen membrane after PAOO. GT, gingival height (GH), buccal alveolar bone thickness (BT), and buccal alveolar bone height (BH) were evaluated depending on cross-sectional CBCT images at t0 (before surgery) and t1(6 months after surgery).ResultsGT were increased in both groups at t1 compared to t0. Yet, higher values were observed in the test group (from 0.94 ± 0.23 to 1.31 ± 0.33 mm) compared to the control group (from 0.94 ± 0.19 to 1.02 ± 0.16 mm) (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the intergroup comparison, GT at t1 in the test group was significantly higher compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the GT of central incisors, lateral incisors and canine teeth all showed significantly changes compared with baseline and the test group showed higher increase (p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference were found in GH, BT, BH and all clinical parameters between two groups at t1 (p > 0.05).ConclusionsWithin the limitation of this study, gingival thickness could be increased by using CGF in PAOO for the patients with thin gingival phenotype.Trial registration The study was registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx) under the number ChiCTRINR17013346, Registered 11 November 2017.