Comparison of root coverage using a coronally positioned tunnel technique with and without platelet rich plasma and acellular dermal matrix allograft

Aims. The primary aim of this randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial was to compare the percent root coverage obtained with a coronally positioned tunnel (CPT) plus an acellular dermal matrix allograft (ADM) to that of a coronally positioned tunnel plus ADM and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) 4 months post-surgically. A secondary objective was to determine the pre- and post-op gingival thickness of the CPT plus ADM to that of a CPT plus ADM and PRP.;Results. The mean facial recession defect at the initial exam for the CPT group was 3.6 +/- 1.0 mm which was reduced to 1.0 +/- 1.0 mm at the 4 month exam for a gain of 2.6 +/- 1.5 mm or 70% defect coverage (p < 0.05). The mean facial recession defect at the initial exam for the PRP group was 3.3 +/- 0.7 mm which was reduced to 0.4 +/- 0.7 mm at the 4 month exam for a gain of 2.9 +/- 0.5 mm or 90% defect coverage (p 0.05). The mean initial gingival thickness at the sulcus base for the CPT group was 0.8 +/- 0.2 mm which increased to 1.2 +/- 0.6 mm at the 4 month exam for a gain of 0.4 +/- 0.7 mm (p < 0.05). For the CPT/PRP group, the mean gingival thickness at the sulcus base was 0.6 +/- 0.1 mm at the initial examination which increased to 1.0 +/- 0.4 mm at the 4 month exam for a gain of 0.4 +/- 0.3 mm (p 0.05). Mean keratinized tissue increased in the CPT group by 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm in the PRP group (p 0.05). There was no gain of creeping attachment for the CPT/PRP group while for the CPT group recession increased by 0.3 +/- 0.4 mm.;Conclusions. The coronally positioned tunnel plus acellular dermal matrix and platelet rich plasma produced defect coverage of 90% while the CPT produced only 70%. This difference was considered clinically significant but was not statistically significant. Tissue thickness increased by a mean of 0.4 mm for both the CPT group and the PRP group. The 2-month result remained stable at 4 months for the CPT/PRP group while recession increased by 0.3 mm in the CPT group.;Methods. Eighteen patients with 1 site of ≥ 3 mm Miller Class I or II recession were treated and followed for 4 months. Nine patients received a coronally positioned tunnel plus ADM and were considered the positive control group (CPT). The test group consisted of 9 patients treated with a CPT plus ADM and PRP (CPT/PRP). Patients were randomly selected by a coin toss to receive either the test or control treatment.