Influence of Crown Shape on Root Coverage Therapy

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the crown shape on the outcomes of root coverage procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS Eighty patients with Miller class I gingival recessions in maxillary canines or premolars were selected. The recession areas were treated using the subepithelial connective tissue grafting. The following clinical parameters were analyzed: crown length (CL) and width (CW), recession height and width, probing depth, clinical attachment level, width and thickness of the keratinized tissue and percentage of root coverage achieved. These measurements were recorded at baseline and 6 months after the surgical procedure. The CW/CL ratio was calculated for each tooth and the median obtained (0.83). Patients were then ranked into two groups, according to the shape of the tooth with gingival recession: Group A - square crown shape (CW/CL values above 0.83) and Group B - long and narrow crown shape (CW/CL values below 0.83). RESULTS No statistically significant differences (p>0.05) were found between groups in any of the clinical parameters at baseline. After 6 months, both groups presented improved clinical outcomes for all parameters analyzed compared to baseline (p>0.05). The mean percentages and standard deviations of root coverage achieved in Group A and Group B was 91.37 (16.75) and 85.49 (23.55), respectively (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Crown shape did not influence the root coverage obtained with the subepithelial connective tissue graft technique.