Soft-tissue re-growth following fibre retention osseous resective surgery or osseous resective surgery: a multilevel analysis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess soft-tissue re-growth following Fibre Retention Osseous Resective Surgery (FibReORS) or Osseous Resective Surgery (ORS) over a 12-month healing period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients with chronic periodontitis showing persistent periodontal pockets at posterior natural teeth after cause-related therapy were enroled. Periodontal pockets were associated with infrabony defect ?3�mm; 15 patients were randomly assigned to FibReORS (test group) and 15 to ORS (control group). Measurements were performed by a blind and calibrated examiner. Soft-tissue rebound after flap suture was monitored by changes in gingival recession at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12- month follow-up. Multilevel analysis considering patient, site, and time levels was performed. RESULTS: Greater osseous resection during surgery and higher post surgical gingival recession was observed in the ORS group. The mean amount of soft-tissue rebound following surgery was 2.5�mm for ORS-treated sites and 2.2�mm for FibReORS-treated sites. Approximately 90% of the coronal re-growth was detectable after 6�months for both procedures. The interaction between ORS and time of observation showed a higher soft-tissue rebound after 12�months (p�=�0.0233) for ORS-treated sites. CONCLUSIONS: Both procedures showed a similar coronal soft-tissue re-growth with a significant higher recession reduction for ORS-treated sites. Significant clinical stability of the gingival margin is obtained 6�months after surgery for both procedures.