Gingival Diseases, Gingival Recession
Conditions
Keywords
Titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin, Connective tissue graft, VISTA technique, Root coverage surgery
Brief summary
This split-mouth randomized clinical trial aims to compare the effectiveness of titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) and connective tissue graft (CTG) in the treatment of Miller Class I and II gingival recession using the Vertical Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) technique. Twenty systemically healthy adult participants with bilateral gingival recession defects will receive both interventions, with one side randomly assigned to T-PRF and the contralateral side assigned to CTG. Clinical outcomes including recession depth, attached gingival width, probing depth, relative attachment level, healing, and patient satisfaction will be evaluated over a 6-month follow-up period.
Detailed description
Gingival recession is a common periodontal condition characterized by apical displacement of the gingival margin, resulting in root exposure, dentin hypersensitivity, esthetic concerns, and increased susceptibility to root caries. Connective tissue grafts (CTG) are widely considered the gold standard for root coverage procedures due to their predictable clinical outcomes. However, CTG requires harvesting tissue from a secondary surgical donor site, which may increase postoperative discomfort and patient morbidity. Titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF) is a second-generation autologous platelet concentrate prepared using titanium tubes, which may enhance fibrin network quality and improve soft tissue healing and regeneration. T-PRF has been proposed as a less invasive alternative to CTG in periodontal plastic surgery. The present study is designed as a split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial to compare T-PRF and CTG in the treatment of bilateral Miller Class I and II gingival recession defects using the Vertical Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) technique. Twenty systemically healthy adult participants with symmetrical gingival recession defects will be enrolled. Each participant will receive both interventions: one side of the mouth will be randomly assigned to treatment with VISTA combined with CTG, while the contralateral side will receive VISTA combined with T-PRF. Randomization will be performed using a computer-generated allocation sequence prepared by an independent investigator. Due to the nature of the interventions, operator blinding is not feasible; however, all clinical measurements and outcome assessments will be conducted by a blinded examiner. Clinical parameters including gingival recession depth, attached gingival width, probing depth, and relative attachment level will be measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively using a UNC-15 periodontal probe. Early wound healing will be assessed at 1, 2, and 4 weeks using a healing index. Patient-reported satisfaction and postoperative outcomes will be evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS). The study aims to determine whether T-PRF can provide comparable clinical and patient-centered outcomes to CTG while reducing the morbidity associated with donor site harvesting.
Interventions
The gingival recession defects assigned to the test group will be treated using the Vertical Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) technique combined with titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF). T-PRF membranes will be prepared from the participant's autologous venous blood collected in titanium tubes and centrifuged according to a standardized protocol before placement beneath the tunneled flap.
The gingival recession defects assigned to the control group will be treated using the Vertical Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) technique combined with an autogenous connective tissue graft (CTG). The graft will be harvested from the palatal donor site and positioned beneath the tunneled gingival tissue to achieve root coverage and soft tissue augmentation.
Sponsors
Study design
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
1. Systemically healthy 2. Bilateral gingival recession 3. Good oral hygiene
Exclusion criteria
1. Smokers 2. Pregnant/lactating women 3. Systemic diseases affecting healing 4. Previous surgery
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Gingival Recession Depth | Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. | Change in gingival recession depth measured in millimeters (mm) from the cementoenamel junction to the free gingival margin using a UNC-15 periodontal probe. Lower values indicate better root coverage outcomes. |
| Width of Attached Gingiva | Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. | Change in the width of attached gingiva measured in millimeters (mm) using a UNC-15 periodontal probe. Higher values indicate improved gingival tissue augmentation and periodontal stability. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal Probing Depth | Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. | Change in periodontal probing depth measured in millimeters (mm) using a UNC-15 periodontal probe at treated sites. Lower values indicate better periodontal health. |
| Relative Clinical Attachment Level | Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively. | Change in relative clinical attachment level measured in millimeters (mm) using a UNC-15 periodontal probe. Lower values indicate improved periodontal attachment. |
| Early Wound Healing Index | 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks postoperatively. | Early wound healing assessed clinically using the Early Healing Index (EHI). The scale ranges from 1 to 5, where: 1 = Complete flap closure without fibrin line (best healing) 5 = Incomplete flap closure with complete tissue necrosis (worst healing) Lower scores indicate better healing outcomes. |
| Patient Satisfaction | 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. | Patient satisfaction assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where: 0 = Completely dissatisfied 10 = Completely satisfied Higher scores indicate greater patient satisfaction with the treatment outcome. |
| Postoperative Pain | 1 week and 2 weeks postoperatively. | Postoperative pain assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). The scale ranges from 0 to 10, where: 0 = No pain 10 = Worst imaginable pain Lower scores indicate less postoperative pain and discomfort. |
Countries
Syria
Contacts
Damascus University
Damascus University
Arab International University