NCT07100808

Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy of De-Epithelialized Free Gingival Graft in the Treatment of Gingival Recessions

Evaluation of Clinical Efficacy of Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft and Free Gingival Graft De-Epithelialized With Two Different Methods in the Treatment of Gingival Recessions

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 60 (actual)
• Sponsor: Yuzuncu Yil University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 19 Years – 52 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of three techniques used in combination with the tunnel method for the treatment of multiple gingival recessions: subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG Group), scalpel-de-epithelialized free gingival graft (Scalpel Group), and Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser-de-epithelialized free gingival graft (Laser Group).

Detailed description

Gingival recession is not only one of the most common aesthetic and functional problems of the periodontium, but also one of the most complex conditions in terms of etiology and treatment modalities. Subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG), applied in combination with various techniques, are considered the gold standard in the treatment of gingival recession. In cases where a surgical approach is indicated, coronally advanced flap (CAF) or graft-based subepithelial connective tissue procedures in combination with the tunnel technique (TT) have been reported to be successfully utilized. The use of de-epithelialized free gingival graft (De-epFGG) as a connective tissue graft (CTG) represents another treatment option for managing gingival recession. With advancements in laser technology, lasers with various wavelengths are increasingly being used as alternatives to scalpels in numerous intraoral surgical procedures. Considering the advantageous properties of erbium lasers, which are among the most prominent dental lasers, their use has also been demonstrated for preparing recipient sites for free gingival grafts (FGG). There are only a limited number of studies in the literature investigating the combination of De-epithelialized Free Gingival Graft (De-epFGG) with the Tunnel Technique (TT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of SCTG, scalpel-based De-epFGG, and Er,Cr:YSGG laser-based De-epFGG techniques, all applied in combination with the tunnel technique, in the treatment of Miller Class I and II multiple gingival recessions. The study hypothesis is that the percentage of root coverage achieved using De-epFGG (scalpel and laser methods) would be comparable and that these methods could serve as strong alternatives to SCTG.

Conditions

• Gingival Recessions

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
PROCEDURE	Using the tunnel technique in the treatment of gingival recession	Microsurgical periodontal instruments were used during surgical procedures. In this study, specially developed tunnel instruments (Helmunt Zepf, Seitingen-Oberflacht, Germany) were used to mobilize the gingivo-papillary unit and prepare the supraperiosteal tunnel bed. After passing the coronal edge of the alveolar bone with the tunnel instrument placed in the soft tissue, it was advanced towards the apical mucogingival junction with small, circular movements. This procedure was repeated by entering from the sulcus of each tooth. Care was taken to ensure that the prepared flaps were in the same layer and opened towards each other. In the interdental areas, the papillary complex was carefully separated from the periosteum and mobilized in the buccal direction. Thus, mobilization of the entire buccal soft tissue complex was achieved in the coronal direction. After these procedures, it was checked whether the flap covered the recession areas without tension.

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-10-27
• Primary completion: 2022-03-24
• Completion: 2022-03-24
• First posted: 2025-08-03
• Last updated: 2025-08-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Turkey (Türkiye)