Clinical Research Directory

Coronally Advanced Tunnel Combined With Xenogenic Dermal Matrix and L-PRF

Gingival recession is the exposure of the root surface due to the gum margin moving away from the crown of the tooth. It's common in adults and becomes more prevalent and severe with age. About 50% of people aged 18-64 and up to 88% of those over 65 have at least one site with gingival recession. The causes are multifactorial, including factors like aggressive brushing, thin gum tissue, orthodontic treatments, and more. A systematic review found that untreated gingival recessions tend to worsen over time, with a significant increase in both the number of sites and the depth of the recession. A new classification system for gingival recessions has been proposed, categorizing them based on the detection of the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and interproximal attachment loss. Surgical techniques aim to restore the gum margin to its original position with minimal probing depths and good aesthetic results. The standard treatment involves a connective tissue graft from a donor site, but newer methods using substitutes like collagen matrices and platelet concentrates have shown comparable results. Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) is a processed dermal tissue used as a substitute for connective tissue in root coverage and implant soft tissue corrections. It has shown favorable results, especially in reducing patient morbidity and thickening the gingival phenotype. ADM can be combined with a coronally positioned flap or tunnel technique for effective root coverage. The use of platelet concentrates, such as Leukocyte and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF), has also become an important alternative. These concentrates improve healing by providing growth factors and cytokines, aiding in the development of microvascularization. The objective is to assess whether combining Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) with Leukocyte and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) yields better or comparable results to ADM alone in terms of complete root coverage, percentage of root coverage (PRC), recession reduction (RecRED), gain of keratinized gingiva (KGG), height of the interdental papilla (IDH), and increased gingival thickness (GT) after 6 months.

Clinical Evaluation of Gingival Biotype Changes Using a Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF) in Combination with Leucocyte and Platelet- Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) Membranes of Different Thickness for the Treatment of RT1 Gingival Recession: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Gingival thickness plays a key role not only in the etiology but also in the treatment of gingival recessions. More recently, authors reported that as the gingival thickness decreases, the gingival recession severity increases . When gingival inflammation occurs, if the tissue is thin the consequent destruction can quickly produce a gingival recession (GR) . When treating a gingival recession, the clinician should aim not only to completely cover the exposed root surface but also to prevent a future recession recurrence. The treatment gold standard is the CAF associated with connective tissue graft. This technique has demonstrated high rates in gingival recession reduction and positive predictability in obtaining complete root coverage. However, some disadvantages about this surgical approach can be easily highlighted: patients experience more discomfort, longer chair-time it's necessary and a second wound area is created. In this scenario, The Platelet rich in fibrin and leucocyte (L-PRF) could be a valuable alternative treatment of gingival defects. It's a platelet concentrate, obtained by a fast and simple procedure that does not require anticoagulant and bovine thrombin. It can also be categorized as a live tissue thanks to platelets, leukocytes, growth factors and stem cells trapped in a polymerized fibrin mesh. L- PRF is used in various fields of regenerative medicine; It promotes stabilization and revascularization of the flaps, contributes to soft tissue wound healing and reduces post-operative discomfort. The purpose of this study will be to evaluate if the different thickness of platelet- rich fibrin (L-PRF) membranes in association with a Coronally Advanced Flap (CAF), for the treatment of RT1 gingival recessions, may influence the Complete Root Coverage (CRC).