Comparative Evaluation of Autologous Fibrin Glue and Conventional Sutures in the Treatment of Gingival Recession Using Connective Tissue Graft - A Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background The combination of the coronally positioned flap with connective tissue grafting in treating gingival recession defects has been shown to demonstrate the highest success rate. Aim The aim of the present study was to compare and evaluate the efficiency between autologous fibrin glue (AFG) and conventional absorbable sutures in the treatment of marginal tissue recessions using connective tissue grafts (CTGs) and the coronally advanced flap (CAF) technique. Methods Twenty Miller’s class I and II recession sites in maxillary or mandibular areas in chronic periodontitis patients were treated as group I (test): CTG + CAF + AFG; and group II (control): CTG + CAF with conventional absorbable sutures. Clinical parameters in both groups were recorded at baseline (t0) and six months (t1) postoperatively in terms of gingival recession height (RH), root coverage esthetic score (RCES), visual analogue scale (VAS), and healing index (HI). Results The RH, RCES, VAS, and HI were significantly reduced at the end of six months compared to baseline (P < 0.005) in both groups; however, there was no statistical difference between the groups, indicating the equivalent efficacy of AFG and conventional sutures in healing. Conclusion All the treated sites were found to have appreciable root coverage with satisfactory post-operative healing. Hence, it may be suggested that both AFG and absorbable sutures are equally efficient in post-surgical soft tissue healing.

Keywords

• autologous fibrin glue
• connective tissue graft
• coronally advanced flap
• gingival recession