This clinical study was designed to determine whether the thickness of the flap can influence root coverage when gingival recessions associated with traumatic toothbrushing are treated using a coronally advanced flap (CAF). Nineteen patients, aged from 25 to 57 years, with high levels of oral hygiene (full-mouth plaque scores <20%) were selected for the study. Each patient contributed with one Miller Class I or II maxillary or mandibular recession. A total of 19 recessions > or =2 mm were treated. After local anesthesia and before flap elevation, the exposed root surface was planed with a sharp curet. A trapezoidal full- and partial-thickness flap was then elevated, displaced coronally, and sutured to cover the treated root surface. Before suturing, flap thickness was measured in the alveolar mucosa with a gauge. After surgery, all patients were recalled for control and professional prophylaxis once a week during the first month and monthly up to the third month. The mean initial recession depth was 3.0+/-0.9 mm. Mean flap thickness (FT) was 0.7+/-0.2 mm. Three months later, mean recession depth was 0.6+/-0.6 (P <0.0001) and mean recession reduction was 2.4+/-0.7 mm. Mean root coverage was 82+/-17%. Flap thickness >0.8 mm was associated with 100% of root coverage. The results of this study indicate that there is a direct relation between flap thickness and recession reduction (P <0.0001).

The location of the gingival margin relative to the cemento-enamel junction following CAF procedure seems to affect CRC.

On average, there were no significant differences related to IL-1 genotype in tooth loss after 10 years in a non-smoking, well-maintained periodontal population. On an individual patient basis, the IL-1 genotype, in combination with the initial bone level, seems useful at the beginning of therapy for predicting bone level variation.

Within the scope of this study, many traditional prognostic factors were ineffective in predicting future tooth loss and, therefore, were of no prognostic value. Conversely, a few specific factors at the tooth level emerged as viable prognostic factors. The use of these factors may be of great value to practitioners as predictors of tooth loss when assigning a prognosis.

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Within the scope of this study design, many traditional prognostic factors were ineffective in predicting future bone level variation and therefore were of no prognostic value. Conversely, a few specific factors at each level emerged as valuable prognostic factors. At the patient level, the prognostic factor was initial mean bone level in conjunction with a positive IL-1 genotype. At the tooth level, the prognostic factor was tooth mobility. At the site level, the significant prognostic factors were initial bone level at a site, the infrabony component of a defect, and initial probing depth at a site. The use of these factors may be of value to clinicians as predictors of bone level variation when assigning a prognosis to a patient, a tooth, or a site.

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