Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to evaluate the efficacy of platelet-rich
fibrin (PRF) membranes versus subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTGs) in the
coverage of Miller class I and II gingival recessions. After the inclusion and exclusion
criteria were applied, the quality of seven articles (Cohen’s Kappa = 0.9) was evaluated
using the Jadad scale. The MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were consulted,
and manual searches were performed in the most popular periodontics journals. The
studies included considered a total of 122 patients, 203 surgical fields on which
SCTGs were used, and 205 surgical fields on which PRF was used. The parameters analyzed
were probing depth, clinical attachment level, gingival recession, and keratinized
mucosa. The minimum follow-up period accepted was 6 months. A statistically significant
difference between the SCTG and PRF groups was found only in the case of keratinized
mucosa. However, gingival recession, clinical attachment level, and probing depth
parameters in the PRF group were found to be statistically equal to those of the SCTG
group (the gold standard) (p ≥0.05). PRF membranes were determined to be a promising alternative to autogenous
gingival grafts in the treatment of Miller class I and II gingival recessions.
Keywords
connective tissue - platelet-rich fibrin - gingival recession - systematic review