Effectiveness and Predictability of Titanium-prepared Platelet-rich Fibrin for the Management of Multiple Gingival Recessions

Objective: Titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) is activated with titanium, which results in a more mature and aggregated form than PRF. In our previous studies, we established that the fibrin carpet formed with titanium had a firmer network structure, and longer resorption time in the tissue than the fibrin carpet formed with glass. The purpose of this randomized controlled clinical trial is to compare the effects of autogenous T-PRF and connective tissue graft (CTG).

Materials And Methods: A total of 114 Miller Class I/II gingival recessions with abrasion defects were treated either T-PRF (63 teeth) or CTG (51 teeth) using a modified tunnel technique. Clinical periodontal indexes, keratinized tissue (KTW), gingival thickness, and recession depth were recorded before surgery and at 6- and 12-month follow-up examinations. The visual analog scale and healing index scores were assessed.

Results: The mean root coverages were 93.29 and 93.22% in the T-PRF and CTG groups, respectively, at 12 months post-operatively. CTG resulted in greater gingival thickness than T-PRF at 6 and 12 months post-surgery compared to baseline. Furthermore, the mean amounts of KTW increased by 1.97 and 0.75 mm in the T-PRF and CTG groups, respectively.

Conclusion: Within the limits of this study, the results demonstrated that T-PRF is safe and effective for treatment of multiple Miller Class I/II gingival recession defects.

Clinical Relevance: T-PRF can serve as a good autogenous alternative to CTG, which is the gold standard for root coverage.