1. Introduction
Gingival Recession defect is defined as the apical shift of the gingival margin with respect to Cementoenamel Junction [
1]. This condition is associated to a moderate difficulty in correct oral hygiene maintenance, dentinal hypersensitivity and a higher occurrence of carious or non-carious cervical lesions [
2]. Patients have a relevant perception of a visible gingival recession, especially in maxillary anterior areas. As periodontal health was defined as the main variable able to influence smile patterns, this condition can consequently affect quality of life. People not able to express their emotions are negatively conditioned in smiling and can appear more insecure, introverted and unsatisfied [
3].
Plenty of mucogingival surgery procedures and strategies have been reported in literature to conjugate more and more stringent esthetic demand to the restoration of a healthy and functional periodontal anatomy. In the literature, different root covering procedures (RCPs) are described alone or in combination with subepithelial connective tissue grafts (sCTG) or biomaterials. Surgical procedures used in the treatment of recession defects may basically be classified as pedicle soft-tissue graft procedures and free soft-tissue graft procedures [
4]. Currently, the most frequently used surgical techniques for both single and multiple gingival recessions are coronal advanced flaps (CAF) and tunnel techniques. In addition to the speculations developed over the years on surgical techniques, another approach proposed to improve the effectiveness of root cover treatment is the application of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) [
5]. Studies showed that CAF combined with sCTG or EMD increases the probability of achieving complete root coverage (CRC) in Miller class I and II [
6] (Cairo type I) [
7] recession defects compared to CAF alone [
8,
9,
10]. The successes achieved with the use of EMD have encouraged clinicians to introduce another organic molecule in periodontal therapy: hyaluronic acid (HA). This molecule seems to have enhanced the clinical outcomes in terms of clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, reduction of bleeding on probing (BoP) of surgical and non-surgical periodontal procedures [
11].
HA is a linear glycosaminoglycan (GAG) consisting of repeated units of D-glucoronic acid (1-B-3) N-Acetyl –D- glucosamine (1-B4) [
12]. First isolated in early twentieth century [
13], this molecule is ubiquitously distributed in vertebrated tissues in different concentrations and molecular weights [
14]. Hyaluronic acid is able to bind to a large amount of water, forming a highly viscous gel. HA inhibits tissue breakdown by activating metalloproteinase inhibitors [
15]. Hyaluronic acid stimulates cell migration and differentiation during the development and repair of soft and hard tissues [
16]. Due to their unique biological and physico-chemical properties and to their safety profile, native HA and many of its derivatives represent interesting biomaterials for a variety of medical and cosmetic applications [
17] including periodontal therapy [
18]. At the beginning of this millennium, the enthusiasm about properties of hyaluronic acid led Pini Prato et al. to publish a case series reporting the use of HA in mucogingival therapy [
19]. Nowadays, although the potential and role of this molecule is not entirely defined, hyaluronan has been applied in different way and in many oral surgical procedures demonstrating gratifying results [
20]. The topical application of HA may lead to additional clinical benefits when used as an adjunctive to non-surgical and surgical periodontal therapy. In surgical treatment of gingival recession coverage, few clinical studies have resorted to application of HA. In these studies, it was observed an enhancing of the performance of the chosen surgical technique. Clinical outcomes seem to be improved when HA was applied during the surgical procedures [
21,
22]. The aim of this systematic scoping review is to provide further scientific evidence on the efficacy and methods of application of hyaluronic acid in the coverage of single and multiple gingival recessions in terms of recession depth (RD) reduction, clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, probing depth (PD).
4. Discussion
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a biodegradable, biocompatible, and nontoxic linear polysaccharide found in extracellular matrices [
12]. The major function of HA is to bind water and facilitate the transfer of essential metabolites, hence preserving the structural and homeostatic integrity of these tissues [
18]. Recent in vitro and animal studies have shown that HA induces angiogenesis [
35], stimulates clot formation [
36], has bacteriostatic activity [
37] significantly increases the tensile strength of granulation tissue [
38], stimulates osteogenesis [
39] without interfering with the formation of new bone tissue [
40]. These properties probably decrease healing range and consequently enhance the wound stability [
41]. Recently, the use of HA has been introduced in dentistry for nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis [
42], as an adjunct to the healing of mouth ulcers and gingivitis [
43], and in papilla regeneration [
44]. On the surgical side, the application of hyaluronic acid has been associated with bone regeneration procedures including sinus lift and socket preservation, surgical treatment of periodontal defects [
45] and gingival recessions and recently hyaluronic acid has been placement in post-extraction socket [
20,
21,
22,
29,
30,
46,
47].
Regarding this, there was no study in the literature that provided to describe the use of hyaluronic acid in the surgical treatment of gingival recessions.
In this research, both RCTs examined RT1 [
7] gingival recessions are treated with CAF.
Recessions were treated with either MCAT or LCT combined with sCTG and HA in all case series. Lanzrein [
29] treated single RT1 [
7] recessions, while Guldener [
30] treated multiple adjacent RT1 and RT2 recessions [
7].
The reduction of RD in the test group compared to the control group was statistically significant in both RCT studies, respectively Kumar [
22] reported p = 0.00, and Pilloni [
28] (p = 0.011). In case series analyzed in this review it is not possible to determine whether hyaluronic acid affected root coating. Regardless, RD in Guldener's[
30] study were comparable to the results obtained in the study of Sculen [
34] and Stähli [
48]. In the other hand in Lanzrein’s study [
29], RD has a higher value at follow-up than in Górski's study [
49]. This could be caused by a different value of RD at baseline, in fact in Lanzrein's study [
29] it is higher than reported by Górski [
49]. The flap design used in all selected articles unavoidably result in flap displacement [
50]. Despite proper passivation, the flap is vulnerable to the tractive force induced by the new flap placement, wound contraction and the activation of neighboring muscles [
41,
51].
The mechanical and chemical properties of hyaluronic acid could reduce the severity of tensile strains tolerated by the flap and consequently an excellent reduction of RD.
Nevertheless, positive results in the control group should be confirmed by double-blind studies. The use of HA might influence the clinician differentially in performing the surgical treatment.
In addition, the position of the gingival margin at the end of surgery seems to be important in achieving a reduction in RD. Suturing the gingival margin at least 2 mm coronally to the CEJ resulted in complete root coverage [
52]. Due to reduce clinical bias, it would be appropriate to specify or quantify the grade of flap passivation before sutures. Anyway, the obtained results of RD reduction are in accordance with the literature in both the two RCTs and the two Case Series [
4,
33,
34].
Mucogingival surgery should be performed in selected patients with very strict inclusion criteria. Absence of bleeding on probing, no trauma and plaque control planning may promote a rapid healing and maintenance of normal PD values at six months follow-up. PD maintenance occurs either in new attachment or wound restoration with healthy junctional epithelium [
53]. In fact, the studies analyzed no significant variation was found in PD variable. As reported in the literature, root covering (RC) procedures of RT1 [
7] recessions can provide significant reduction in RD and CAL gain without altering PD [
54]. Clinical attachment level is a variable directly related to PD and RD.
Modifications of CAL are connected to variations of RD since, as was already indicated, the PD parameter in the included studies remained relatively constant.
The exciting results of CAL in Guldener’s case series [
30] could be due to the use of subepithelial connective graft. There is consensus in the literature that the presence of a sCTG provides stability and reduces soft tissue contraction improving clinical outcomes in terms of reduced RD and CAL gain [
55].
Among all included studies, Lanzrein[
29] reveals lower CRC and MRC than the other included studies. Probably, these results are comparable to those reported in the literature since treatment of multiple recessions resulted in decreased CRC and MRC than treatment of a single recession. Anatomically and technically, multiple recessions are more difficult to treat. Multiple recessions need more challenging and time-consuming surgical treatment of soft tissues, and wound healing is more susceptible to complications due to a large avascular surface area, inadequate blood supply, and/or poor tooth position [
56]. In RCTs test groups had improved results than control groups in terms of CRC and MRC. However, the reported percentages are comparable with those in the literature. The success rate treating RT1 [
7] defects has been demonstrated to be high, with a mean root coverage of 80.9% (50% to 97.3%) and total root coverage obtained in 46.6% (7.7% to 91.6%) of cases [
54,
57]. As indicated previously, future RCTs on the use of HA in the surgical treatment of recessions should be performed double-blind, specify and quantify the factors that influence root coverage. Such as the position and tension of the flap [
51,
58], the dimension of the adjacent papillae [
59], and the thickness of the flap [
31,
60]. The purpose is reduced bias and enable the advantages of HA application really quantifiable. Hyaluronic acid composition and application methods should be studied because they could have an influence on MRC and CRC.
Different physical and chemical conformations of hyaluronic acid are available. In fact, the native molecular design is subject to faster degradation than the cross-linked formulation which involves joining by covalent bonds the HA chains[
61].
Two different conformations of hyaluronic acid were applied in the analyzed studies.
Specifically, Pilloni [
21], Guldener [
30], and Lanzrein [
29] used a formulation consisting of 1.6% cross-linked HA and 0.2% linear HA (Hyadent BG, Regedent) while Kumar[
22] Linear hyaluronic acid (Gingigel 0.2%). It is possible that some structures and concentrations have an inhibitory effect on cell proliferation and migration during wound healing. In an in vitro study was investigated the relationship between the concentrations of HA solutions and the physicochemical properties and the biocompatibility of blended Cs–Gel–HA membranes. It was noted that only the concentrations of HA in certain range (0.01–0.1%) could enhance the cell adhesion, migration and proliferation, and when the concentration was above 0.1% it would reduce or even inhibit the effect. [
62].
In the studies analyzed, the same application method as EMD is used [
63,
64]. HA is placed on the roots of the elements to be coated without the prior use of ethylenediaminetetraacetic (EDTA), instead used as etching for EMD.
Although both biomolecules are employed with the aim of improving healing [
40,
65], it does not justify the same method of use. EMD, aided EDTA, is a molecule that promotes the proliferation of cells involved in the regulation of bone remodeling and periodontal ligament regeneration [
40].
In the other hand, hyaluronic acid, due to the properties previously described, can reduce healing time and stabilize wound. Consequently, having different mechanisms of action, it should be considered if is better place the HA in direct contact with the root or the cruentate surfaces, because tooth root is not a bioactive surface.
Furthermore, the appropriate time of application would need to be established. During surgical procedures external factors, such as physiological saline washings, could change the effectiveness of HA. The biomolecule could be applied immediately before or even after the suture was performed, with infiltration inside the flap, to ensure permanence in the wound. Future studies will need to investigate what formulation and application technique is best in order to increase the performance of hyaluronic acid.
Follow-up is another important variable. The studies included in the present review presented ranges from 18 weeks to 30 months [
21,
22,
29,
30].
Although short-term follow-up was evaluated, an assessment of the evolution of surgical treatment long-term would be appropriate. Pini Prato et. Al observed that in recessions treated only with CAF at 5 years presented apical displacement of the gingival margin. While sites treated with CAF and sCTG at 5 years due to creeping attach presented increased percentage of CRC [
66].
Correctly, Pilloni [
21] evaluated the pain variable in the short term. Seven days after surgery, postoperative morbidity (pain intensity, discomfort, and edema) was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS). Pain was described as an acute symptom which, if persistent, is difficult to tolerate and necessitates analgesics. There was no difference in pain intensity between the case group and the control group.
A recent study analyzed the effects of two different doses of topical HA on postoperative discomfort and wound healing at palatal donor sites in patients who had undergone free gingival graft (FGG) surgery. This RCT indicated that topical use of HA decreases postoperative pain and burning sensations while also increasing palatal wound healing in terms of epithelization and color match [
67]. However, it would be useful to understand whether hyaluronic acid actually reduces postoperative morbidity.
On the other hand, in the long term, it might be useful to evaluate the root coverage esthetic score (RES). This parameter evaluates five variables for each recession a minimum of six months following surgery, when tissues have achieved the stability and maturity sufficient for esthetic evaluation [
68,
69,
70].
In the case report of Lanzrein[
29], RES was examined. The mean RES measured is 7.9.
However, since there is no control group, no objective conclusions can be drawn about the improvement in aesthetic performance when HA is used in surgical procedure.
The number of studies selected, the different types of HA used, and the lack of a well-structured and standardized protocols did not allow objective conclusions to be drawn