Microderm for Root Coverage Procedures

Advancements in Periodontal Surgery techniques and materials have continuously progressed to improve patient dental health. While the patient's own gum tissue from another site of the mouth as a graft \[subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG)\] remains the benchmark for tooth root coverage and increasing gum tissue, there are disadvantages to this surgical method. One disadvantage with this surgical method is the patient will have two surgical sites, one for the graft and one for the coverage of the exposed roots. Another disadvantage, there is limited tissue on the roof of the mouth for covering multiple exposed roots, which means multiple surgeries to cover all the exposed roots. For over 25 years, connective tissue graft surgery using Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) has served as an alternative to tissue grafts using the patient's own tissues. ADM is a processed material often used in gum surgery to avoid taking tissue from another part of the mouth) While ADM may not match SCTG for stability and gain in gum tissue, ADM remains a viable alternative to SCTG. Recently, a new ADM \[microsurfaced Acellular Dermal Matrix (mADM)\] has been developed to enhance healing and improve the surgical outcome. This randomized pilot study will compare ADM and mADM for wound healing, root coverage, gum tissue coverage of the surgical site, blood flow to the site, and patient comfort.