Vertically Coronally Advanced Flap Versus Coronally Advanced Flap for Miller Class I Gingival Recession

This randomized controlled clinical trial compares the clinical effectiveness of the Vertically Coronally Advanced Flap (VCAF) and the Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF), both combined with connective tissue graft (CTG) and enamel matrix derivative (EMD), for the treatment of Miller Class I gingival recession. Twenty-four Miller Class I gingival recession defects in 13 patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the VCAF + CTG + EMD group or the CAF + CTG + EMD group; three patients contributed defects to both groups. Clinical outcomes, including mean root coverage, complete root coverage, recession depth, recession width, keratinized tissue width, gingival thickness, vestibular depth, and esthetic outcomes, are assessed at baseline and throughout a 6-month follow-up period. Three-dimensional digital models obtained from an intraoral scanner are used to evaluate soft tissue changes following treatment. The study is designed to determine whether the VCAF technique provides superior clinical and esthetic outcomes compared with the conventional CAF technique.

Inclusion Criteria: * Miller Class I gingival recession. * Gingival recession depth ≥ 1 mm, assessed clinically with a periodontal probe. * Medium or thin gingival thickness. * No history of mucogingival or periodontal surgery at the study site. Exclusion Criteria: * Participants with uncontrolled systemic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus or hypertension, or coagulation disorders. * Participants who do not attend follow-up visits or do not comply with the postoperative care instructions.