THE CLINICAL RESULT OF CORONALLY ADVANCED FLAP WITH CONCENTRATED GROWTH FACTOR COMPARED TO CORONALLY ADVANCED FLAP WITH CONNECTIVE TISSUE GRAFT FOR ROOT COVERAGE: A SPLIT-MOUTH CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

This preliminary split-mouth study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of coronally advanced flap combined with concentrated growth factor (CAF+CGF) versus connective tissue graft (CAF+CTG) for root coverage. Four participants with Cairo recession type 1 and 2 received CAF+CGF (test group) and CAF+CTG (control group) on contralateral sides. Clinical parameters were evaluated at baseline and 3 months postoperatively. Primary outcomes were gingival recession depth (GRD) and width (GRW). Secondary outcomes included probing depth (PD), relative attachment level (RAL), keratinized gingiva width (KG), plaque index (PI), gingival bleeding index (GBI), pain score (VAS), and patient satisfaction. Results demonstrated comparable recession reduction between both methods. Mean GRD decreased by 1.00 mm (test) and 0.83 mm (control), while GRW decreased by 2.25 mm and 2.50 mm, respectively. Mean root coverage was 87.5% in the test group and 83.3% in the control group, achieving complete coverage in 3 of 4 sites for both. PD remained stable, whereas RAL, KG, PI, and GBI improved globally. Postoperatively, the test group reported lower VAS pain scores during the first week. Both groups expressed high treatment satisfaction. In conclusion, CAF+CGF provides preliminary clinical outcomes comparable to CAF+CTG while demonstrating a trend toward less postoperative pain. Therefore, CGF serves as a viable alternative for gingival recession treatment when a connective tissue graft cannot be performed due to insufficient donor tissue, anatomical limitations, or a desire to minimize postoperative complications and discomfort.

Keywords: Gingival Recession, Root Coverage, Concentrated Growth Factor, Connective Tissue Graft