Root coverage and patient-reported outcomes of de-epithelialized gingival graft with and without leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin in multiple recession defects: a split-mouth randomized trial.

Purpose: This study was conducted to compare the clinical efficacy and patient-reported outcomes of de-epithelialized gingival graft (DGG) alone versus DGG combined with leukocyte platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) for the treatment of multiple adjacent gingival recessions using a coronally advanced flap technique.

Methods: In this split-mouth randomized controlled trial, 15 patients with multiple gingival recessions affecting at least 3 adjacent teeth were treated on one side with DGG only (termed the DGG group) and on the contralateral side with DGG and L-PRF (the DGG+PRF group). Clinical parameters-recession depth, recession width, probing depth, clinical attachment level, keratinized tissue width, gingival thickness, and percentage of root coverage (RC%)-were recorded at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. Patient-reported outcome measures, including Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scores, postoperative pain, bleeding, discomfort, and analgesic consumption, were also assessed.

Results: At T6, the mean RC% was 93.30%±6.97% in the DGG group and 95.28%±4.99% in the DGG+PRF group, with no statistically significant difference observed. Patients receiving DGG+PRF reported significantly lower discomfort on days 2, 3, and 5 and reduced pain on days 6 and 7 relative to the DGG group.

Conclusions: Combining L-PRF with DGG achieves root coverage outcomes comparable to DGG alone, while significantly reducing early postoperative discomfort and morbidity.