Root coverage using acellular dermal matrix and comparing a coronally positioned tunnel to a coronally positioned flap approach.

Background: The primary aim of this randomized, controlled, masked clinical trial was to compare the percentage of root coverage obtained with a coronally positioned flap plus acellular dermal matrix (ADM) allograft to that of a tunnel technique plus ADM 4 months post-surgically.Methods: Twenty-four subjects with one site with ≥3 mm Miller Class I or II recession were treated and followed for 4 months. Twelve patients received a coronally positioned flap plus ADM and were considered the positive control group (CPF). The test group consisted of 12 subjects treated with a coronally positioned tunnel technique plus ADM (TUN). Subjects were randomly selected by a coin toss to receive the test or control treatment.Results: The mean facial recession defect at the initial examination for the TUN group was 3.1 ± 0.3 mm; this was reduced to 0.7 ± 0.9 mm at the 4-month examination for a gain of 2.4 ± 1.0 mm or 78% defect coverage (P <0.05). The mean facial recession defect at the initial examination for the CPF gro...