Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene titanium-reinforced membranes for regeneration of mucogingival recession defects. A 12-case report
The titanium-reinforced membranes were used in 12 patients who had gingival recessions between 4 to 7 mm from the cemento-enamelion to the most coronal attachment. All the teeth were vital and had no interdental loss. The initial preparation consisted of root planing and scaling twice and thorough brushing and oral hygiene procedures. A trapezoidal full-thickness flap was created approximately 3 mm above the margin of the bony dehiscence. This flap was then split so that it could be coronally placed for membrane coverage. The roots were cleaned with curets and rotary instruments. The membrane was shaped to create a space between it and the root surface. The membrane was sutured at the CEJ with a sling technique, and the flap was placed over the membrane and secured with sutures. Postoperative protocol was 300 mg of tetracycline for six days and 275 mg of naproxen every eight hours for four days. For plaque control, 0.12% chlorhexidine was used twice daily. After four weeks the membranes were removed. The results showed that the average recession pretreatment was 5.3 mm and after 15 months was 1.4 mm. The attached gingiva pretreatment was 1.4 mm and after 15 months was 3.3 mm. The authors conclude that the titanium-reinforced membranes resulted in a simpler, faster, and more predictable surgical procedure. [M.C.R.]
Tinti, C., and P. Vincenzi, J Periodont, 65:1088,1994