Modified Tunnel Double Papilla Procedure for Root Coverage in the Anterior Mandible

Free connective tissue grafts, barrier membranes, pedicle flaps, soft tissue allografts, and xenografts have been described for root coverage and augmenting the zone of attached gingiva. The present report evaluated a modified tunnel surgical procedure for root coverage of mandibular anterior teeth where a connective tissue graft was combined with a tunnel and double papilla flap. Fourteen patients with 18 consecutive Miller Class I or II gingival recession defects in the anterior mandible were treated with a connective tissue graft combined with a tunnel and double papilla flap procedure. The following parameters were recorded at baseline and every 6 months postsurgery for up to 19 months: probing depth (PD), vertical recession dimension (RD), keratinized tissue width (KT), and recession width (RW). Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, analysis of variance with repeated measures, and t test. Statistical analysis proved significant differences between pre- and postoperative values. Mean percentage of root coverage was 83.28% (standard deviation: 22.897), while complete root coverage was obtained in 55% of sites. Baseline values differed between Class I and II recession defects. Clinical attachment level gain, KT gain, and amount of root coverage were statistically significantly larger in Class II defects, while the degree of residual recession and percentage of root coverage were similar in both recession classes. A statistically significant interaction between recession class, independent variable, and pre- and postoperative vertical recession defects (dependent variables) was recorded (P = .004). Within the limitations of the sample size, the reported procedure showed predictable root coverage with color match combined with an increased zone of keratinized tissue.