HEALING RESPONSE OF HUMAN BUCCAL GINGIVAL RECESSIONS TREATED WITH EXPANDED POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE MEMBRANES - A RETROSPECTIVE REPORT

TWENTY-FOUR (24) DEEP WIDE BUCCAL GINGIVAL recessions were treated wit h ePTFE membrane according to guided tissue regeneration principles (G TR). Factors affecting the surgical outcome of the regenerative proced ure were retrospectively analyzed. In 16 cases, the barrier membrane w as used in conjunction with tetracycline root conditioning and fibrin- fibronectin system application, and 8 cases were treated with the memb rane alone. Healing response was evaluated 12 months after surgery. Si nce no difference was observed between the two treatment protocols, al l available data were grouped. Mean recession depth was reduced from 4 .6 mm to 1.3 mm postoperatively, which represents an average root cove rage of 71.7%. Fifty percent (50%) of the cases showed clinical attach ment gain greater than or equal to 4 mm and a mean increase of keratin ized tissue of 1.0 mm was observed. Baseline recession depth and exten t of membrane exposure at the reentry procedure significantly influenc ed the amount of newly-formed tissue under the membrane. Recession red uction positively correlated with the preoperative recession depth and the regenerated tissue gain. Treatment was also affected by tooth loc ation, recession reduction, and attachment gain, being significantly g reater in upper than lower archs. Results suggest that GTR technique r epresents a predictable procedure to improve the soft tissue condition s of deep mucogingival defects. Randomized controlled trials of other forms of management of mucogingival defects as compared to the GTR tec hnique will be necessary to fully evaluate the utility of the GTR tech nique.