Tuberosity Versus Palatal Connective Tissue Graft on the Treatment of Single Maxillary Recession-type Defects

The treatment of gingival recessions using the coronally advanced flap (CAF) in combination with palatal subepithelial connective tissue graft (pSCTG) is highly predictable and frequently accepted in periodontal plastic-aesthetic surgeries. However, due to its limitations and disadvantages, clinicians often use grafts harvested from different autogenous areas or multiple non-autogenous materials as an alternative.

CAF combined with pSCTG is considered the gold standard for root coverage procedures. However, factors such as the density of vascular structures, a close approximation to nerves, and postoperative morbidity remain concerning for clinicians using palatal connective tissue grafts. Because of this, researchers have sought different techniques for palatal connective tissue harvesting and/or different autogenous donor areas. The maxillary tuberosity region has been found to have a denser lamina propria and is farther from nerve/vascular bundles.

Despite differences in harvesting techniques, literature has presented similar root coverage outcomes, lesser post-operative bleeding, and pain for SCTGs harvested from the maxillary tuberosity (tSCTG) compared to pSCTG groups. Decreased post-operative pain after tSCTG harvesting could be explained by higher amounts of connective tissue present in the donor area after harvesting and avoiding trauma created by food consumption and tongue movements in the region. Clinical data also showed an increased amount of keratinized tissue and its stability after augmentation, favoring tSCTG. Considering structural differences, literature has shown that tSCTG provides more thickness, a more abundant lamina propria, and denser collagen compared to pSCTG. However, due to the size of the harvested tSCTG not being as abundant as pSCTG, it can be assumed that the augmented areas were limited to multiple recessions or defects.

Inclusion criteria

• Non-smoker, systemically healthy
• No active periodontal disease
• Maxillary anterior and premolar teeth with single, isolated recessions RT 1 (Miller 1 &2)
• Absences of non-carious cervical lesions (NCCL) and non-detectable cemento-enamel junction (CEJ)
• Buccal gingival recession defects between 2-5 mm in depth

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of caries lesions or restorations in the cervical area
• Intake of medications that impede periodontal tissue health and healing
• Medical contraindications for periodontal surgical procedures
• Pregnancy and lactation
• Bleeding and plaque scores ≥ 20%
• Probing depths > 4 mm