Al-Hezaimi K, Rudek I, Al-Hamdan KS, Javed F, Iezzi G, Piattelli A, Wang HL. J Periodontol. 2012 Oct 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Efficacy of Acellular Dermal Matrix and Coronally Advanced Flaps for the Treatment of Induced Gingival Recession Defects: A Histomorphometric Study in Dogs.

Abstract

Background: Gingival recession (GR) defects can be treated by various methods including acellular dermal matrix (ADM) or by coronally advanced flaps (CAF). The aim of this histomorphometric experiment was to compare the efficacy of ADM and CAF for treating GR defects in dogs. Materials and methods: In eight beagle dogs, a critical size labial GR defect was surcically induced on bilateral maxillary cuspids under general anesthesia. Test-sites received ADM and CAF and control-sites underwent CAF-treatment alone. Plaque index (PI), bleeding index (BI) and gingival index (GI) were measured at 4- weeks (baseline), 8-weeks and 16-weeks. Width of keratinized gingiva (KG) was determined at baseline and at 16-weeks. Depth of recession and width of GR below the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) was also determined. After 4-months, animals were sacrificed and jaw blocks were histomorphometrically assessed for tissue thickness, distance from stent to the gingival margin and to the CEJ. Results: At 4-, 8- and 16-week intervals, there was no significant difference in the BI, GI and PI at the test- and control-sites. At 16-weeks, thickness of KG was significantly higher at the control-sites than test-sites (P<0.01). There was no difference in the midfacial recession depth and recession width at the test- and control-sites at baseline and before euthanasia (16-week). Histomorphometrically, there was no significant difference in tissue thicknesses and distances from the stent to the gingival margin and CEJ in the test- and control-sites. Conclusions: ADM might yield similar results to CAF alone and could decrease the amount of KG.