A clinical study for recession coverage in maxillary molars using buccal pad of fat

Background: Gingival recession in maxillary molars can be treated by buccal pad of fat due to its easy assessibility, less donor site mobidity, excellent blood supply, minimal patient discomfort and better clinical outcome. Thus in this study we tried to treat miller class II and classIII gingival recession in maxillary 1st and 2nd molars using buccal pad of fat. Materials and Methods: 10 systemically healthy patients with age ranging from 34 to 55 years with Class II and Class III gingival recession in the maxillary molars were selected. Before the surgical phase, all the patients received oral hygiene instructions and scaling and root planning. A horizontal incision of 1–1.5 cm was made in the buccal sulcus of the maxillary molar region; buccinator muscle was separated bluntly to expose the BFP. The fat was then teased out from its bed and spread to cover defects adequately. It was then secured and sutured without tension. Clinical parameters such as probing depth, recession length (RL), and width of keratinized gingiva were recorded at baseline and at 6 months postoperatively, and weekly assessment for postoperative healing was done at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks Results: Treated recession defects healed successfully without any significant postoperative complications. RL from 5.6±1.26 to 1.5±1.702 were observed postoperatively (P < 0.05). Percentage of root coverage average was 80.8%. Conclusion: Pedicled buccal fat showed promising results as the treatment modality in the management of Class II and Class III gingival recession of maxillary posterior teeth.