Prediction of Gingival Recession after Flap Surgery in Patients with Chronic and Aggressive Periodontitis with Horizontal or Vertical Bone Loss

Abstract

BACKGROUND The sites with deeper periodontal pockets showed greater postoperative gingival recession. The purpose of this study was to correlate the gingival recession following the periodontal flap surgery with the amount of bone loss at the treated site and to propose a prediction chart of post -operative gingival recession based on certain clinical parameters. METHODS A total of 120 sites in patients with chronic and aggressive periodontitis were treated with flap surgery. Clinical parameters such as probing pocket depth (PPD), recession depth (RD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months post-surgery. The extent of bone loss in the surgical site was measured in digital radiographs (RVG) at baseline. The prediction chart for post-operative recession depth was prop osed based on the amount of bone loss in surgical site and the clinical parameters. RESULTS The difference in mean PPD, CAL and gingival recession depth from baseline to 1 month, 3 month and 6 months was statistically significant. Out of 120 sites, 38 sites with the bone loss of 3-5 mm showed increase in gingival recession from baseline (0.89 mm ± 0.924 mm) to 6 months (1.47 mm ± 0.979) post-surgery. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean gingival recession was increased from baseline (1.46 mm ± 1.58 mm) to 1 month (2.80 mm ±1.54 m), 3 months (2.93 mm ± 1.465 mm) and 6 months (2.98 mm ± 1.49 mm) after surgery in 54 sites with the bone loss of 5-10 mm. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS In our study, it was concluded that gingival recession following flap surgery correlates with the bone loss at the surgical site and sites with greater bone loss showed increased postoperative recession. KEY WORDS Chronic Periodontitis, Aggressive Periodontitis, Flap Surgery, Gingival Recession, Bone Loss, Prediction.