Evaluation of Recession Defects Treated With Coronally Advanced Flaps and Either Recombinant Human Platelet‐Derived Growth Factor‐BB Plus β‐Tricalcium Phosphate or Connective Tissue: Comparison of Clinical Parameters at 5 Years

Background: In a previously reported split‐mouth, randomized controlled trial, Miller Class II gingival recession defects were treated with either a connective tissue graft (CTG) (control) or recombinant human platelet‐derived growth factor‐BB + β‐tricalcium phosphate (test), both in combination with a coronally advanced flap (CAF). At 6 months, multiple outcome measures were examined. The purpose of the current study is to examine the major efficacy parameters at 5 years. Methods: Twenty of the original 30 patients were available for follow‐up 5 years after the original surgery. Outcomes examined were recession depth, probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), height of keratinized tissue (wKT), and percentage of root coverage. Within‐ and across‐treatment group results at 6 months and 5 years were compared with original baseline values. Results: At 5 years, all quantitative parameters for both treatment protocols showed statistically significant improvements over baseline. The primary outcome parameter, change in recession depth at 5 years, demonstrated statistically significant improvements in recession over baseline, although intergroup comparisons favored the control group at both 6 months and 5 years. At 5 years, intergroup comparisons also favored the test group for percentage root coverage and change in wKT, whereas no statistically significant intergroup differences were seen for 100% root coverage and changes to CAL. Conclusions: In the present 5‐year investigation, treatment with either test or control treatments for Miller Class II recession defects appear to lead to stable, clinically effective results, although CTG + CAF resulted in greater reductions in recession, greater percentage of root coverage, and increased wKT.