Effect of root surface conditioning on gingival recession coverage with a connective tissue graft. A retrospective comparative study of three different agents

Objective: Different root modifiers have been proposed in the literature with an attempt to improve the healing process and the success rate of root coverage procedures. The aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of three different types of root surface conditioning, namely, tetracycline (TTC), ethylene-di-amino-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and saline, on the outcome of root coverage procedures applying the same surgical technique. Materials and methods: Twenty-nine patients with 60 Classes I, II, or III recession defects were treated using connective tissue with a partial-thickness double-pedicle graft. In 21 recession defects root surface was treated with TTC and, in other 21, with EDTA, while in the remaining, saline solution was applied. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis, Mann–Whitney, and chi-square tests. Results: Differences between pre- and postoperative values were statistically significant only within but not between groups. Mean root coverage was 73.25%, 69.19%, and 82.17% in the TTC, the EDTA, and the saline groups, respectively. The study revealed no statistically significant differences for all evaluated parameters between groups. Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, root conditioning, prior to root coverage procedures, does not significantly affect their outcome. Clinical significance: Clinical outcome of root coverage procedures is not related to the type of root surface conditioning.