Effect of GaAIAs low-level laser therapy on the healing of human palate mucosa after connective tissue graft harvesting: randomized clinical trial.

Among the available techniques to treat gingival recession, connective tissue graft (CTG) presents more foreseeability and better results in the long term. However, this technique causes morbidity and discomfort in the palatine region due to graft removal at that site. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the influence of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the healing of the donor palatine area after CTG. Thirty-two patients presenting buccal gingival recession were selected and randomly assigned to receive LLLT irradiation (test group) or LLLT sham (control group) in the palatine area after connective graft removal. A diode laser (AsGaAl, 660 nm) was applied to test the sites immediately after surgery and every other day for 7 days. The evaluated parameters were wound remaining area (WRA), scar and tissue colorimetry (TC), tissue thickness (TT), and postoperative discomfort (D). These parameters were evaluated at baseline and 7, 14, 45, 60, and 90 days after surgery. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA was used for analysis. The test group presented statistically significant smaller wounds at days 14 and 45. None of the patients presented a scar at the operated area, and colorimetry analysis revealed that there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p > 0.05). Patients reported mild to moderate discomfort, with low consumption of analgesic pills. We concluded that LLLT irradiation can accelerate wound healing on palatine mucosa after connective tissue removal for root coverage techniques (ClinicalTrial.org NCT02239042).

Esthetic evaluation of different approaches to treat gingival recession associated with non-carious cervical lesion treatment: a 2-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the esthetic outcome of four different approaches to treat gingival recession, associated with non-carious cervical lesion (combined defects) and the possible roles of patient-related factors in this esthetic outcome. METHODS: 78 combined defects were previously treated by: coronally advanced flap (CAF), CAF plus cervical restoration using resin-modified glass-ionomer material (CAF+R), connective tissue graft (CTG) and CTG+R. After a follow-up of 2 years, esthetic evaluations were performed using a modification of the Root Coverage Esthetic Score (MRES) and Qualitative Cosmetic Evaluation (QCE). Additionally, regression analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of patient-related factors in the final esthetic outcome. RESULTS: The MRES showed that CAF and CTG had statistically significantly better results, when compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Similarly, the QCE showed that CAF and CTG, along with CAF+R presented better results, and CTG+R showed the poorest esthetic outcome. Regression analyses showed that the overall gingival inflammation (full mouth bleeding index--FMBI) was negatively associated with CTG MRES score (P = 0.04 and R = -0.48). This means that the greater the FMBI during the study period, the lower the final esthetic score.