Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07526259

Comparative Evaluation of Novel 3D Tunneling Technique Versus Modified Coronally Advanced Tunnel (MCAT) With Connective Tissue Graft in the Management of Multiple RT2 Gingival Recession

Defects associated with severe interdental hard and soft tissue loss are challenging to the periodontist, mainly due to the increased avascular surface and the reduced interproximal periosteal bed. Reports on the surgical techniques used to address recession type 2 or 3 defects mostly showed statistics on the mid-facial root coverage that yielded outcomes that do not encompass coverage of the interdental exposed root surface which highlights areas of controversy in their use for papilla reconstruction. Several case reports and clinical studies have shown encouraging results, but the long-term data are not available in the literature yet. The novel 3D tunneling (3DT) method achieved significant clinical improvement with long term stability in a recent case series. However, additional research is needed to validate 3DT for its routine clinical use. Moreover, the 3DT method achieved a decrease in the lingual recession depth which should be pointed out that the technique also addresses lingual recession.

Recruiting

Interested in participating?

Request Info

Key information

Conditions

Gingival Recession Gingival Diseases Mouth Diseases Periodontal Atrophy Periodontal Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Buccal and lingual multiple adjacent recession defects classified as Cairo et al RT2.
  • Age ≥18 years
  • Full mouth plaque index score less than 20% O'Leary et al. 1972
  • Patients with healthy systemic condition
  • Clinical indication and/or patient request for root coverage

Exclusion criteria

  • Patients with systemically compromised health
  • Periodontal surgical treatment during the previous 24 months in the involved site
  • Pregnant or lactating mothers
  • Smokers
  • Non-compliant patients
  • Restored teeth
  • Non-carious cervical lesion

Treatment and study plan

root coverage

Procedure

The novel 3D tunneling (3DT) method achieved significant clinical improvement with long term stability in a recent case series. However, additional research is needed to validate 3DT for its routine clinical use.

Primary outcomes

  1. Gingival recession depth

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

Secondary outcomes

  1. Gingival recession depth lingual

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

  2. Clinical attachment level (CAL) buccal and lingual

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

  3. Periodontal probing depth (PPD) buccal and lingual

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

  4. Width of keratinized tissue (KTW)

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

  5. Papilla tip to contact point distance

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

  6. Mean root coverage

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

  7. Root coverage esthetic score (RES)

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

    The RES system evaluates five variables 1 year following surgery: GM, marginal tissue contour (MTC), soft tissue texture (STT), MGJ alignment, and gingival color (GC).

    GM. Zero points = failure of root coverage (gingival margin apical or equal to the baseline recession); 3 points = partial root coverage; 6 points = CRC.

    MTC. Zero points = irregular gingival margin (does not follow the CEJ); 1 point = proper marginal contour/scalloped gingival margin (follows the CEJ).

    STT. Zero points = scar formation and/or keloid-like appearance; 1 point = absence of scar or keloid formation.

    MGJ. Zero points = MGJ not aligned with the MGJ of adjacent teeth; 1 point = MGJ aligned with the MGJ of adjacent teeth.

    GC. Zero points = color of tissue varies from gingival color at adjacent teeth; 1 point = normal color and integration with the adjacent soft tissues.

    Thus, the ideal esthetic score is 10.

  8. Post operative pain using Visual analogue scale (VAS)

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 1 year

    Pain score will be reported by the patient directly through Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score (between 0 and 10.0: no pain, 1: minimal pain, 5: moderate pain, 10: severe pain) will be recorded at day 3, day 7, and day 14.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Cairo University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparative Evaluation of Novel 3D Tunneling Technique Versus Modified Coronally Advanced Tunnel (MCAT) With Connective Tissue Graft in the Management of Multiple RT2 Gingival Recession: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Apr 13, 2026
Registry last updated
Apr 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.