Laterally positioned flap along with acellular dermal matrix graft in the management of maxillary localized recessions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate acellular dermal matrix graft (ADM) combination with laterally positioned flap (LPF) and to compare the results with LPF alone in terms of root coverage, esthetics, and patient perspectives in gingival recessions.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-two patients with localized Miller Class I/II recessions ≥ 3 mm with gingival thickness (GT) < 0.8 mm were included. Outcome parameters such as recession height and width, keratinized tissue (KT) height, GT, mean and complete defect coverage, patient satisfaction, and root coverage esthetic score (RES) were re-evaluated at 12 months postoperatively.

Results: Mean and complete defect coverage were 94.80 and 72.73% in LPF+ADM group and 77.25 and 45.45% in LPF group, respectively. Significant differences were observed for KT and GT gain, patient satisfaction, and RES in favor of LPF group (p < 0.05). A significant positive correlation was established between GT and mean defect coverage (r = 0.448; p < 0.05).

Conclusion: LPF is a successful approach in the treatment of localized Miller I/II gingival recessions. On the other hand, when thin donor tissue was thickened with an allogenic graft, more successful results regarding complete defect coverage, patient satisfaction, and RES were obtained.

Clinical Relevance: Increase in gingival thickness and keratinized tissue height represents critical improvements in the prognosis of the advanced localized recessions and will be beneficial for patient's periodontal health and esthetics. Both approaches can be used successfully as an alternative for soft tissue root coverage in specific localized cases with a limited amount of keratinized tissue apical to the defect.