Use of platelet-rich fibrin versus connective tissue graft in treatment of gingival recessions: Literature review.

Aim: To compare and evaluate the effects of two different approaches on treating gingival recessions: coronally advanced flap (CAF) with platelet rich-fibrin (PRF) membrane and coronally advanced flap (CAF) with connective tissue graft (CTG).

Material and methods: A systematic literature review was performed of randomized control trials in English identified in MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Cochrane Library), Springer Link, Science Direct and Google Scholar databases, published between 2015 and 2020. Studies had to be performed in vivo with follow-up periods of ≥6 months.

Results: 153 publications were found, out of which 8 were identified as relevant to the theme. Six of these studies evaluated periodontal parameters such as probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), recession depth (RD), keratinized tissue width (KTW) and gingival thickness (GT). In 3 studies discomfort and aesthetic scores were analyzed as subjective parameters. 1 study histologically evaluated different techniques of gingival recession treatment.

Conclusion: Both techniques are effective in the treatment of Miller's class I and II gingival recessions. Although the CTG technique may provide better results in KTW and GT, PRF avoids a donor site, which means a major decrease in postoperative discomfort.