Modified Coronally Advanced Tunnel Technique in the Treatment of Multiple Gingival Recessions Associated with and without Non Carious Cervical Lesions- A Prospective Clinical Study

Introduction: Gingival Recession (GR) can be associated to periodontal disease-causing dentinal hypersensitivity, root caries and even aesthetic problems. A combination of the Modified Coronally Advanced Tunnel Technique (MCAT) with Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft (SCTG) can be considered an option for treating multiple GR.

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of root coverage using MCAT along with SCTG in multiple GR with and without Non Carious Cervical Lesions (NCCL).

Materials and Methods: The present prospective clinical study was conducted in Department of Periodontology at Vishnu Dental College, Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh, India, from June 2018 to December 2019. A total of 24 patients seeking treatment for multiple GR in which 12 patients with recessions alone and 12 patients associated with NCCL were included in the study. Clinical measurements of Pocket Probing Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Recession Depth (RD) and Recession Width (RW), Width of Keratinised Tissue (KTW), Gingival Thickness (GT), Pink Aesthetic Score and hypersensitivity scores were determined at baseline and six months. Descriptive statistics, Independent samples t-test, repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), and paired t-tests were used in data analysis. The p-value <0.05 would be considered statistically significant.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 30±10.16 years. The study group comprised of 18 males and six females, constituting male to female ratio as 3:1. A statistical significance in reduction of recession was seen from baseline to six months in both control and test groups which are (9.67±1.15 mm to 0.92±1.67 mm) and (10.92±0.99 mm to 0.67±1.23 mm) respectively and increase in KTW was seen from baseline to six months in both groups which are (1.58±0.66 mm to 3.2±0.75 mm) and (1.75±0.45 mm to 3.50±0.67 mm), respectively. However, a statistically significant decrease in hypersensitivity was observed in the MCAT+SCTG+NCCL group.

Conclusion: The results of the present study suggested that MCAT could be opted as a treatment of choice for multiple GR associated with non carious lesions, as well in terms of aesthetics and hypersensitivity.