Microsurgery for root coverage: A systematic review

OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether microsurgery gains better result in root coverage compared to conventional surgical techniques. METHODS A number of databases were searched to identify eligible studies from January 1992 to January 2015. THE FOLLOWING OUTCOMES WERE EVALUATED number of sites exhibiting complete root coverage and patients' esthetic satisfaction. RESULTS Four Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A pooled estimate from the two RCTs regarding sub-epithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) showed significant achievement in complete root coverage in the microsurgical group [relative risk (RR):1.63; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12 to 2.36; P=0.01] with acceptable heterogeneity. The other two studies were about coronal advanced flap (CAF) with enamel matrix derivative or free rotated papilla autograft and did not qualify for meta-analysis. Patients' esthetic satisfaction was analyzed only by one study. CONCLUSIONS Using microsurgical technique for treating gingival recessions may be effective in achieving complete root coverage for SCTG.