Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of initial periodontal clinical parameters on the final outcome of the treatment of periodontal recessions by means of a coronally positioned flap (CPF).
Materials and methods: The CPF technique was used in a total of 39 Miller Class I/II gingival recessions of the upper canines and/or premolars. The clinical periodontal parameters evaluated were: probing depth, gingival recession height, gingival recession width, keratinized mucosa, attached keratinized mucosa, flap thickness and free gingival margin thickness. The degree of root coverage was evaluated 6 months and 1 year after the surgery. The data were analyzed by Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney and Pearson's correlation tests, as well as linear regression.
Results: A significant reduction in gingival recession height, gingival recession width, keratinized mucosa, and attached keratinized mucosa were observed. A significant negative correlation was found between gingival recession and root coverage percentage at 1 year, and a significant negative correlation between gingival margin thickness and coverage percentage at 1 year. The gingival recession and flap thickness significantly predicted the amount of root coverage.
Conclusions: The initial dimensions of gingival recession and the mucosa thickness were correlated to the percentage of root coverage. The gingival recession width was the major predictor of root coverage.
Keywords: coronally positioned flap; gingival recession; gingival thickness; keratinized mucosa; root coverage.
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