Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the changes of the mucogingival complex of guided tissue regeneration (GTR)-treated gingival recession defects over a 10-year follow-up.
Methods: The study population consisted of 20 patients, 11 males and nine females, mean age: 44.3+/-10.4 years, each contributing one recession defect treated with a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. Eight patients were smokers at the time of surgery and at 10 years post-surgery. Recession depth (RD), probing depth clinical attachment level (CAL), and width of keratinized gingiva (KG) were assessed immediately before surgery, at 6 months, 4 years and 10 years post-surgery.
Results: RD was 0.9+/-0.6 mm at 6 months, 1.0+/-1.3 mm at 4 years and 1.3+/-1.6 mm at 10 years. CAL amounted to 1.9+/-1.0 mm at 6 months and shifted to 2.2+/-1.4 and 2.6+/-1.6 mm at 4 years and 10 years, respectively. KG significantly increased following surgery and remained stable thereafter. At 10-year examination, no significant changes from 4-year evaluation were observed. Differences in periodontal parameters between smokers and non-smokers were not statistically significant.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the results of the present study failed to demonstrate changes over time in the clinical outcome achieved following GTR procedure in gingival recession defects over a period between 4 and 10 years post-surgery.
Copyright Blackwell Munksgaard, 2004.