Connective tissue graft associated or not with low laser therapy to treat gingival recession: randomized clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate the treatment of gingival recession with a connective tissue graft (CTG) alone or in combination with low-level laser therapy (CTG+L).MethodsForty patients presenting 40 Miller Class I and II gingival recessions were included. The defects were randomly assigned to receive either CTG (n=20) or CTG+L (n=20). A diode laser (660nm) was applied to the testsites immediately after surgery and every other day for 7days (eight applications).ResultsThe mean percentage of root coverage was 91.9% for the test group and 89.48% for the control group after 6months (p>0.05). The test group presented more complete root coverage (n=13, 65%) than the control group (n=7, 35%) (p=0.04). Dentine sensitivity decreased significantly after 6months in both groups (p<0.001). The two groups showed improvement in aesthetics at the end of treatment.ConclusionsLow-level laser therapy may increase the percentage of complete root coverage when associated with CTG.