Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin and Connective Tissue Graft for Treating Marginal Tissue Recessions: A Randomized, Controlled SplitMouth Study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) and connective tissue graft (CTG) in treating marginal tissue recessions. Materials & methods: Fifteen patients with isolated bilateral maxillary gingival recessions were recruited for the study, with 30 defects. The defects were classified as Miller's class I/II gingival recession on the canine or premolar region. Patients were randomly divided into two groups, each receiving one of the two treatment techniques (A-PRF or CTG) on a different side of the maxilla in a split-mouth design. Clinical parameters such as recession height (RH), recession width (RW), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), a width of attached gingiva (WAG), and keratinized tissue height (KTH) were evaluated at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Changes in biotype, Recession Esthetic Score (RES), and Visual Analogue Score-Esthetics (VAS-E) were also evaluated at 6 months. Trial registration: Ethics approval number (Helsinki): PHRC/HC/877/21 and registered at the Clinical Trials Registry under the number NCT05267015 Results: At the end of 6 months, there was a statistically significant reduction in RH and RW in both groups, with the mean RC% of 69.2±22.91, and 88.66±33.18 in Groups I and II, respectively. Intergroup analysis showed statistically significant differences in recession parameters between groups at 3 and 6 months, with better outcomes for the CTG group. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that A-PRF and CTG effectively manage gingival recession defects. However, CTG resulted in better clinical outcomes in terms of reduction in recession height and width.