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Aim: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to compare clinical and volumetric outcomes of tunnel technique (TUN) with subepithelial connective tissue graft (CTG) versus coronally advanced flap (CAF) with enamel matrix derivate (EMD) 2 years after gingival recession (GR) treatment. Materials and methods: Twenty‐three patients contributed 45 Miller class I or II GR. At baseline and follow‐up examinations, study models were collected. Their three‐dimensional scans allowed precise computer‐assisted measurement of recession depth (REC), complete root coverage (CRC), percentage of root coverage (RC), pointwise (pTHK) and mean areal (aTHK) marginal soft tissue thickness. Clinical examination delivered probing depths (PPD) and height of keratinized tissue. Results: 24 months after surgery, digitally evaluated CRC was present in 60.0% of the TUN + CTG and 0.0% of the CAF + EMD‐treated sites (p <.0001), meaning a certain relapse of the gingival margin ragarding both approaches. RC amounted to 94.0% (TUN + CTG) and 57.3% (CAF + EMD), respectively (p <.0001). REC reduction (RECred) was significantly higher for TUN + CTG (1.81 ± 0.56 mm) than for CAF + EMD (0.90 ± 0.45 mm) (p <.0001). pTHK and aTHK values were significantly greater in the TUN + CTG group (1.41 ± 0.35 mm and 1.11 ± 0.26 mm) than in the CAF + EMD group (0.78 ± 0.32 mm and 0.60 ± 0.26 mm) (p <.0001). Statistical analysis detected positive correlations between THK and both RC and RECred (p <.001). Conclusions: Two years post‐operatively, CTG showed better clinical and volumetric outcomes than EMD. Increased THK values were associated with improved outcomes regarding RC and RECred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The aim of this randomized clinical trial ( RCT) was to compare the clinical performance of the tunnel technique with subepithelial connective tissue graft ( TUN) versus a coronally advanced flap with enamel matrix derivative ( CAF) in the treatment of gingival recession defects. The use of innovative 3D digital measuring methods allowed to study healing dynamics at connective tissue ( CT)-grafted sites and to evaluate the influence of the thickness of the root covering soft tissues on the outcome of surgical root coverage. Material & Methods Twenty-four patients contributed a total of 47 Miller class I or II recessions for scientific evaluation. Precise study models collected at baseline and follow-up examinations were optically scanned and virtually superimposed for digital evaluation of clinical outcome measures including mean marginal soft tissue thickness ( THK). Healing dynamics were measured in a defined region of interest at CT-grafted sites where volume differences between time points were calculated. Results At 12 months, recession reduction as well as mean root coverage were significantly better at CT-grafted sites treated in the TUN group (1.94 mm and 98.4% respectively) compared to the non-augmented sites of the CAF group (1.17 mm and 71.8% respectively) and statistical analysis revealed a positive correlation of THK (1.63 mm TUN versus 0.91 mm CAF, p < 0.0001) to both these variables. Soft tissue healing following surgical root coverage with CT-grafting was mainly accomplished after 6 months, with around two-thirds of the augmented volume being maintained after 12 months. Conclusions The TUN resulted in thicker gingiva and better clinical outcomes compared to CAF. Increased gingival thickness was associated with better surgical outcomes in terms of recession reduction and root coverage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]