Abstract
This 24-month randomized clinical trial aimed to compare the long-term clinical efficacy of Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) versus Connective Tissue Graft (CTG) in covering multiple gingival recessions (MGRs) classified as Miller Class I or II. Sixty systemically healthy patients with at least two adjacent Miller Class I or II gingival recessions were randomly allocated to either the PRF group (n=30) or the CTG group (n=30), both treated in conjunction with a coronally advanced flap. Clinical parameters, including recession depth (RD), clinical attachment level (CAL), keratinized tissue width (KTW), and probing depth (PD), were measured at baseline, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months post-surgery. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) such as pain and esthetics were also assessed. Both treatment modalities resulted in significant and stable reductions in RD and gains in CAL and KTW over the 24-month period. At 24 months, no statistically significant differences were observed between the PRF and CTG groups for mean RD reduction (PRF: 2.8 ± 0.5 mm; CTG: 2.9 ± 0.6 mm, p=0.72), CAL gain (PRF: 3.1 ± 0.6 mm; CTG: 3.2 ± 0.7 mm, p=0.65), or mean root coverage percentage (PRF: 88.5% ± 5.2%; CTG: 90.1% ± 4.8%, p=0.58). The PRF group reported significantly less post-operative pain and discomfort, particularly at the donor site (p<0.01). This study demonstrates that PRF, when used with a coronally advanced flap, offers comparable long-term clinical outcomes to CTG for the treatment of multiple gingival recessions, with the additional benefit of reduced patient morbidity.
