Root Coverage With Emdogain/AlloDerm: A New Way to Treat Gingival Recessions

The recession of the gingival margin is becoming a more prominent condition in the oral situation of many patients and should be treated at its earliest detection. The multifactorial etiology, decision modality, and current trends in the treatment of gingival recession are discussed in this article. The surgical technique of choice depends on several factors, but among the different surgical protocols available, the clinician should select one that will minimize surgical trauma and achieve predictable esthetic results. All of the approaches described in this article can effectively treat deep and shallow Class I or II buccal recessions. Recently, as an alternative to autogenous gingival grafts in root coverage procedures, enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain) and acellular dermal matrix allograft (AlloDerm) were utilized to correct these gingival defects, negating the morbidity and the requirement for a second palatal surgical procedure. Emdogain or AlloDerm materials used alone or in combination are a predictable treatment for root coverage, are relatively easy to perform (although they are technique sensitive), present low patient morbidity, offer a significant increase in the percentage of root coverage and amount of keratinized tissue, and should be part of the periodontal plastic surgery armamentarium.