Treatment of multiple adjacent recessions with the modified coronally advanced tunnel or laterally closed tunnel in conjunction with cross-linked hyaluronic acid and subepithelial connective tissue graft: a report of 15 cases

Objectives: To evaluate the healing of multiple adjacent type 1 and 2 gingival recessions (RT1 and RT2) treated with the modified coronally advanced tunnel (MCAT) or the laterally closed tunnel (LCT) in conjunction with a cross-linked hyaluronic acid and subepithelial palatal connective tissue grafts. Method and materials: Fifteen healthy patients exhibiting multiple adjacent mandibular or maxillary RT1 and RT2 of a depth of >= 2 mm, were treated with the MCAT or LCT in conjunction with cross-linked hyaluronic acid and subepithelial palatal connective tissue grafts. Results were assessed at baseline and after a minimum of 6 months. The primary outcome variable was root coverage. Esthetic outcomes were evaluated on photographs using the root coverage esthetic score. Results: Postoperative pain and discomfort were low and no complications occurred. Data analyses were performed at patient level. After a mean follow-up of 17 +/- 5.4 months, statistically significant root coverage was obtained in all 15 cases (P < .0001). Complete root coverage was obtained in 3 out of 15 cases (20%). Root coverage amounted to > 95% in three patients, was between 90% and 95% in four patients, and reached 87.5% in another patient. In three further patients root coverage measured 75%, 77%, and 64.6%, respectively. Mean root coverage measured 85.1 +/- 23.2%. Mean keratinized tissue width increased from 2.5 +/- 1.0 mm to 3.7 +/- 0.7 mm (P < .0001) from baseline to follow-up, while mean probing depth showed no statistically significant changes (1.3 +/- 0.5 mm vs 1.5 +/- 0.5 mm). The mean root coverage esthetic score was 7.9 +/- 1.9, while in the three cases exhibiting complete root coverage, a maximum root coverage esthetic score (10) was given for all treated teeth. Conclusion: Within their limits, the present results indicate that the described treatment approach may lead to predictable root coverage of multiple mandibular and maxillary RT1 and RT2.