After increasing the width of the attached gingiva by free palatal mucosa transplants, 20 procedures with coronal flap repositioning were performed on 41 teeth with gingival recessions in 13 young adults. The amount of gingival recession and the clinical gingival sulcus depth were measured pre-operatively and 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery; the amount of osseous dehiscence was measured during surgery. No significant differences were found among reduction values of gingival recession by reattachment 1, 6 and 12 months post-operatively. Although a significant correlation was found between the degree of gingival recession preoperatively and 1 month post-operatively, non was found between the amount of alveolar bone dehiscence and gingival recession 1 month post-operatively.

The ability of two different toothbrush bristle ends to produce traumatic gingival abrasion was assessed in a double blind study of 15 male and 15 female young adults. Brushing was performed in a circular fashion using a modified Bass Technique. An apparatus allowing continuous visual feedback of the average brushing force permitted a degree of standardization of the system. The upper left canine and bicuspid area had to be brushed for 30 seconds with cut toothbrush bristles (CP) and with round ended toothbrush bristles (RP) respectively. A two week interval separated the two brushing sessions. Traumatic lesions of the attached gingiva were stained with a disclosing solution, photographed and evaluated planimetrically. The "cut bristles" caused gingival abrasions 30% greater in extent than the round end bristles. The difference was not due to single brushing strokes accidentally greater for the "cut bristles". The size of the lesions was not sex dependent. To prevent gingival damage it is desirable to either round the bristles in production or to rid the bristle ends at least of sharp edges.

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