Treatment of localized gingival recessions. Part I. Lateral sliding flap.

This study was undertaken to evaluate biometrically the changes that occur on the recipient as well as on the donor tooth with regard to gingival recession, sulcus depth and width of keratinized gingiva after performing a lateral sliding flap in the treatment of localized denuded roots. Fourteen teeth with gingival recession were treated using a lateral sliding flap. Measurements were recorded preoperatively and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. A mean gain of 2.69 mm of soft tissue coverage over the denuded root was found 6 months postoperatively which represents 69% of coverage. The mean gain in width of keratinized gingiva averaged 3.15 mm. On the donor tooth an average gingival recession of 1.1o mm was found after 6 months, and the width of keratinized gingiva decreased an average of 1.25 mm. Results remained stable after 30 days postsurgery.