Use of supraperiosteal envelope in soft tissue grafting for root coverage. II. Clinical results
In part I of the report the rationale and technique for use of the supraperiosteal envelope in soft tissue grafting for root coverage were presented. The purpose of part II is to present the clinical results along with several case reports. Twelve cases exhibiting Miller Class I and II recession were selected from a group of patients treated over the past four years with the supraperiosteal envelope technique. Surgical sites were evaluated from six months to four years postoperatively. The palatal door appeared to heal faster, with slightly more swelling but less overall discomfort and postoperative bleeding than previously noted in patients treated with full-thickness autogenous gingival grafting. The recipient envelope produced minimal discomfort one week postoperatively; the graft often appeared bulky and edematous. In four to six weeks, the graft and surrounding gingival tissues achieved acceptable color and contour. Complete root coverage was achieved in 14 of 23 sites (61%). Of the nine remaining, five resulted in 75% coverage, and four in coverage of 20% to 67%. The average root coverage for all sites was 84%. Shallow defects averaged 95% coverage, while moderate defects averaged 73% coverage. The width of each defect was classified as narrow (2 mm), moderate (3 mm), or wide (4 mm). Coverage of root surfaces in each of the three categories averaged 95%, 87%, and 76%, respectively. [E.L.H.]
Allen, A.L., Int J Periodont Restor Dent, 14:303, 1994