Clinical evaluation of gingival margin stability following conventional versus microsurgical techniques of esthetic crown lengthening: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Aim: To assess the gingival margin stability following conventional versus microsurgical approach of esthetic crown lengthening in management of patients with anterior short clinical crowns. Methodology: Twenty-four patients indicated for esthetic crown lengthening were selected and divided into either test or control groups where microsurgical approach or conventional technique were performed respectively. All patients were assessed at different intervals (baseline, 3, and 6 months) for the outcomes: gingival margin (GM), Pink esthetic score (PES), soft tissue level (STL), mesial (MP) and distal papilla (DP) levels, postoperative swelling (POS), postoperative pain (POP) and patient satisfaction and were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: there was a statistically significant reduction in the gingival margin level after 3 and 6 months in both groups with statistically significant more mm and percentage reduction within the control group. The microsurgical approach showed a statistically significant improvement in the PES at 3 and 6 months, while the conventional approach showed a statistically significant improvement only at 6 months with no statistically significant percentage gain between both groups at 3 and 6 months. Less pain was experienced with the test group through less intake of analgesics. Also, less swelling was observed in the test group at day 2 and day 5 with statistically significant difference with more patient satisfaction. Conclusions: Both groups significantly improved all clinical outcomes after 6 months, but the microsurgical approach showed less postoperative pain, swelling and gained more patient satisfaction.