Clinical Oral Investigations, cilt.30, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Objectives: To assess whether the apical margin position of partial restorations (PRs) influences outcomes of coronally advanced flap (CAF) plus connective tissue graft (CTG) in single RT1 gingival recessions with Class B+ non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs). Materials and methods: Forty patients were randomized to receive PRs completed at the estimated cementoenamel junction (CEJ-0) or 1 mm apical to it (CEJ-1), placed two weeks before CAF + CTG. Clinical parameters—including recession depth (RD), mean root coverage (mRC%), keratinized tissue height, and gingival thickness—and patient-reported outcomes (pain, discomfort, sensitivity, esthetics) were evaluated up to 12 months. Results: Thirty-five patients completed follow-up. RD reduction and mRC% were similar (CEJ-0: 1.91 ± 0.91 mm, 83.3%; CEJ-1: 1.93 ± 0.78 mm, 81.6%). Esthetic scores assessed using the Modified Root Coverage Esthetic Score (MRCES) were comparable (8.63 vs. 8.38). Both groups showed increased gingival thickness, while CEJ-1 yielded lower early postoperative sensitivity and discomfort. Baseline RD predicted RD reduction (β = 0.568; p = 0.02). Conclusions: PR margins at or 1 mm apical to the CEJ provided similar clinical and esthetic outcomes when combined with CAF + CTG. The CEJ-1 approach improved early patient comfort without compromising root coverage. Clinical relevance: Positioning the restoration margin 1 mm apical to the CEJ may enhance early postoperative comfort while maintaining comparable clinical and esthetic outcomes.