Background: The study investigated the early healing process following the treatment of single Miller class I and II recessions with a 3D xenogeneic collagen matrix (CMX) or connective tissue graft (CTG).
Methods: This pilot investigation was designed as a single-center randomized controlled parallel trial. A total of eight subjects (four per group) were treated with either CMX or CTG in the anterior maxilla. Vascular flow changes were assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) before and after surgery and at days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 30 while clinical evaluations took place at baseline and at days 60 and 180. Pain intensity perception was evaluated by the short-form McGill pain questionnaire (SF-MPQ), at days 1 and 14.
Results: The vascular flow fluctuated similarly in both groups pre- and post-operatively, but the CTG exhibited a more homogeneous pattern as opposed to CMX that showed a second phase of increased blood flow at 14 days. Clinically, the CTG led to greater change in mean root coverage and keratinized tissue gain but CMX was associated with lower early pain intensity scores.
Conclusions: Within the limits of the study, the vascular flow alterations during the early healing of both graft types followed a similar pattern. The CMX was associated with a second peak of increased blood flow.
Clinical relevance: The vascular flow changes after the application of CMX for single tooth recession root coverage did not show major differences from those observed after the use of a CTG. A trend for better clinical performance in terms of root coverage and keratinized tissue gain was noted for the CTG, but the initial patient morbidity was less for CMX.
Keywords: Collagen matrix; Connective tissue; Gingival recession; Laser Doppler flowmetry; Transplants.