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Vestibular Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) Technique Versus Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF) Combined With a Connective Tissue Graft for the Treatment of Maxillary Gingival Recessions

Vestibular Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) Technique Versus Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF) Combined With a Connective Tissue Graft for the Treatment of Maxillary Gingival Recessions: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06755294
Enrollment
30
Registered
2025-01-01
Start date
2025-01-30
Completion date
2026-06-15
Last updated
2025-01-28

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Gingival Recessions

Keywords

VISTA TECHNIQUE, CAF, Root Coverage

Brief summary

Gingival recession (GR) is a common oral health problem that causes sensitivity, esthetic concerns and hygiene problems. Successful root coverage can be achieved by various surgical techniques. The VISTA technique may overcome some of the limitations of other techniques and present equal results to techniques that are considered the Gold Standard in this area of periodontology. The objective of the research is to study the VISTA technique in terms of complete root coverage, % root coverage, gingival thickness gain, bleeding on probing, keratinized gingival width, PROMS, vestibular depth and esthetic results.

Interventions

PROCEDUREVestibular incision subperiostal tunnel technique

The VISTA (Vestibular Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access) technique is a minimally invasive surgical approach for root coverage. A single vertical incision is made, often at the labial frenulum for optimal access, reaching the periosteum to elevate a subperiosteal tunnel. This tunnel is extended beyond the mucogingival junction and interproximally under each papilla to enable tension-free coronal repositioning of the gingiva. An autologous connective tissue graft, harvested and de-epithelialized from the palate, is introduced into the tunnel. Before placement, teeth are etched (orthophosphoric or hydrofluoric acid depending on surface type). Sutures (6-0 polypropylene) stabilize the graft, with additional composite fixation on treated teeth. The vertical incision is closed using 5-0 sutures, ensuring proper stabilization and healing. This approach minimizes trauma, promotes healing, and achieves effective root coverage.

PROCEDURECAF

The Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF) is an effective technique for root coverage in single or multiple gingival recession cases with adequate apical keratinized tissue thickness and height. Following the De Sanctis and Zucchelli protocol (2007), two horizontal incisions are made 3 mm apart, with placement 1 mm apical to the recession height. Vertical beveled incisions extend into the alveolar mucosa, and a flap is elevated in three stages: partial thickness at the papilla, full thickness to the buccal bone table, and apical partial thickness to release muscle fibers for mobility. An autologous connective tissue graft (≥1 mm thick) is harvested from the palatal or retromolar area, de-epithelialized, and shaped to the recession size. The anatomical papillae are de-epithelialized, and the graft is sutured apically to the CEJ using 6-0 Polyglactin 910. Sling sutures (6-0 polypropylene) stabilize the flap 2 mm coronally to the CEJ, ensuring optimal positioning and healing.

Sponsors

Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* Healthy adults: men and women between 18 and 75 years of age. * Accepts and signs informed consent. * Systemically healthy patients with periodontal health or controlled periodontitis. * Presence of at least two maxillary Cairo Type I or II (RT1/2) recessions \> 2 mm deep on buccal aspect. * Plaque index ≤20% * No previous periodontal surgeries performed. * Presence of the cementoenamel junction (CEJ), a 1 mm step in the CEJ and/or presence of root abrasion, but with an identifiable CEJ will be accepted.

Exclusion criteria

* Smoker of 10 ≥ cigarettes per day. * Contraindications to periodontal surgery. * Medications that affect the gingiva or their healing. * Active orthodontic treatment. * Pregnant women * Caries or restorations in the area to be treated. * Patients who cannot follow the post-surgical medication adequately

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Recession reduction (RR)3 months and 6 months after the surgeryMeasured with a periodontal probe and with a STL file

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
PPDBaseline, 3 and 6 months after the surgerydistance from the gingival margin to the base of the gingival sulcus
CALBaseline, 3 and 6 months after the surgerydistance from the LAC to the base of the gingival sulcus
mean root coverage (% RC)3 and 6 months after the surgeryMeasured with a periodontal probe and with a STL file
Gingival thicknessBaseline, 3 and 6 months after the surgeryDistance from the most external part of the gingiva to the buccal plate. Measured with a periodontal probe and with a STL file
Complete root coverage3 and 6 months after the surgeryMeasured with a periodontal probe and with a STL file
KTWBaseline, 3 and 6 months after the surgerydistance from the gingival margin to the mucogingival line (MGL

Contacts

Primary ContactAlvaro Babiano Nodal, DDS,MSC
alvarobabianon@uic.es680391415

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026