Advanced platelet-rich fibrin versus connective tissue graft in maxillary gingival recession management.

Background: Platelet concentrates have gained significant attention in periodontology due to their regenerative properties. This randomized clinical trial was aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) and connective tissue graft (CTG) in the management of recession defects. The objectives were to compare changes in recession height and root coverage percentage between the groups.

Methods: Systemically healthy individuals presenting Cairo's RT1/RT2 gingival recession defects in the maxilla (n = 40) were treated with either A-PRF or CTG in combination with coronally advanced flap (CAF). Clinical parameters were measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Mean and complete root coverage percentages were calculated at 3 and 6 months.

Results: In both the test (CAF + A-PRF) and control (CAF + CTG) groups, a statistically significant reduction in mean recession height was seen from baseline values of 2.90 ± 0.55 mm and 3.15 ± 0.87 mm to 0.80 ± 0.95 mm and 0.15 ± 0.48 mm at 6 months, respectively (p < 0.001). In the test group, 10 sites had complete root coverage at 6 months with mean root coverage of 73.76 ± 29.58%. In the control group, 18 of 20 sites had complete root coverage with mean root coverage of 93.35 ± 23.1%. The control sites had a significantly greater reduction in recession height and higher mean and complete root coverage percentages at 6 months (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The study findings suggest that, the CTG had resulted in superior outcomes than A-PRF along with CAF.

Key points: Question: To compare the efficacy of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) with connective tissue graft (CTG) in the management of gingival recession defects.

Finding: Both interventions showed satisfactory healing. At 6 months, the CTG group demonstrated superior results than the A-PRF group. Meaning: CTG has a greater therapeutic potential than A-PRF in the management of gingival recessions.

Plain language summary: Platelet-derived membranes are widely used in various dental therapies due to their healing properties. Limited studies have been conducted using the novel platelet preparations in the management of receding gums. This study compared the effects of advanced platelet-rich fibrin membrane with conventional soft tissue harvested from the palate in the treatment of gum recession. Twenty-three patients requiring gum augmentation were recruited and treated with either platelet-derived membrane (test group) or tissue harvested from their palate (control group). Clinical parameters were measured at baseline (before intervention), 3 months, and 6 months. Both treatment modalities resulted in significant gum coverage at the end of 6 months. On comparison, the control sites had significantly greater improvements in all the measured clinical parameters indicating that tissue obtained from the palate had superior therapeutic potential.