Microsurgical Instruments in Laterally Moved, Coronally Advanced Flap for Miller Class III Isolated Recession Defects: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

The aim of this study was to evaluate the laterally moved coronally advanced flap (LMCAF) technique in which magnified vision was used in conjunction with microsurgical instruments (LMCAF-M), and to compare the results with conventional LMCAF technique (LMCAF-C) in Miller Class III isolated recessiontype defects. A total of 50 patients with recessions located at incisors and canines were treated with LMCAF-M or LMCAF-C. Outcome parameters (complete root coverage [CRC] and mean root coverage [MRC]) were assessed 6 months postoperatively. Of the 25 defects in each group, 13 in the LMCAF-M (92.0%) and 17 in the LMCAF-C group (68.0%) exhibited CRC (P .007). MRC scores were 90.48% for the LMCAF-C group and 97.64% for the LMCAF-M group (P .04). Patient satisfaction with esthetics and postoperative morbidity were better in the LMCAF-M group (P .032). This study indicates that performing LMCAF with microsurgical instruments offers definite advantages in terms of CRC and MRC, decreased postoperative morbidity, and increased acceptance by patients.