Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Connective Tissue Grafts Obtained With Two Different Methods in Root Coverage

The area where the gingival recession occurred was prepared with the modified coronally positioned flap technique developed by Zuchelli. The subepithelial connective tissue graft was obtained in each patient using the single incision technique from the region between the mesial of the canine and the mesial of the first molar in the palate. Connective tissue dimensions were approximately 10x5x2 mm. The graft thickness was measured with an endodontic spreader from 3 points (mesial, buccal, and distal) and an electronic caliper during surgery.

The area where the gingival recession occurred was prepared with the modified coronally positioned flap technique developed by Zuchelli. A shallow horizontal incision was made at ≈3 mm apical from the gingival margin of the maxillary molar teeth using a number 15 scalpel blade. Subsequently, a parallel horizontal incision, at ≈ 4 mm apical from the first horizontal incision, was traced in conjunction with two vertical releasing incisions to delineate a rectangular area. Then, the uppermost epithelial layer was scraped off using a size 11 scalpel tip. The connective tissue graft to be taken from the palate area was 10x5x2 mm in size, and the graft thickness was measured with an endodontic spreader from 3 points (mesial, buccal, and distal) and electronic caliper during surgery.

"Clinical parameter measurements (probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival recession depth and width, keratinized tissue width and height) were taken on the day of surgery, the 3rd days, the 14th days, the 1st month, the 3rd months and the 6th months.~Ultrasonography measurements A 6-18 MHz intraoral probe was used in intraoral USG examinations. Sterile gel was applied to the intraoral probe and covered with a stretch film. Then, it was placed directly on the mucosal surface of the receiver site in the buccal area. Mucosal thickness was evaluated using the B-mode of the device, and vascularization was evaluated using the color doppler and pulsed wave doppler modes of the device. The following equation is used and calculated by US unit pulsatility index (PI) = (Vmax-Vmin) (Vmean) (Vmax is peak systolic flow velocity. Vmin is diastolic flow velocity and Vmean is mean flow velocity.) The mean PI values of each patient were measured."