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NCT Number: NCT05684068

Dimensional Changes: Randomized Clinical Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the dimensional changes in the short and long-term in patients with thin gum tissues who have gum grafts placed on either denuded bone or gum grafts placed on a bone with some tissues remaining.

The main question this study aims to answer is:

- Does the placement of free-epithelized gingival grafts (gum grafts) on full thickness bed preparation (having all of the tissue removed from the bone) lead to similar clinical, digital, and patient-related outcomes and measurements over a period of 12 months versus split thickness bed preparation (where a small layer of tissue is left over the bone) in patients with thin gum tissue phenotypes (gum tissue is generally less than 1.5 millimeters) who are in need of soft tissue augmentation procedures?

Participants will be asked to attend 8 visits, which include: (i) screening visit, (ii) prophylaxis visit, (iii) random assignment to Group A or Group B along with surgery and digital data collection, (iv) 2-week post-operative visit, (v) 6-week post-operative visit, (vi) 3-month follow-up visit, (vii) 6-month follow-up visit, (viii) 12-month follow-up visit. Also, Group A will have a free epithelialized gingival/mucosal graft (gum graft) placed on full thickness periosteal bed preparation where all of the tissue was removed (test group). Group B will have a free epithelialized gingival/mucosal graft (gum graft) on split thickness periosteal bed preparation where only a portion of the tissue was removed (control group). Researchers will compare Group A and Group B to see if there is a difference in clinical, digital, and patient-related outcomes and measurements over a period of 12 months.

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Key information

Conditions

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

Age range

18 year–95 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States

Location contact

Carlos Garaicoa Pazmino, DDS, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

(319) 467-4315

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Patients 18-95 years of age
  • Inactive periodontal disease
  • Lack of, or an insufficient (less than 2 millimeters) band of keratinized tissue width on the buccal site (closest to the cheek)
  • Shallow vestibule depth (the space between the soft tissue (lips and cheeks), and the teeth and gums)
  • Thin gingival phenotype (less than 1.5mm of gum tissue depth).
  • Aberrant frenum attachment in need of free-epithelized gingival grafts.
  • At least one RT1, 2, or 3 (Cairo's classification) gingival recession defect on the mandibular anterior sextant (Teeth #22-27).
  • Non-smokers or past smokers (those who have stopped at minimum 6 months ago).
  • Patient willing and able to follow instruction related to the study procedures.

Exclusion criteria

  • Previous soft tissue augmentation procedures at the area of interest.
  • Current smokers (Light smokers meaning less than 10 cigarettes/day, heavy smokers meaning more than 10 cigarettes/day, or social smokers)
  • Uncontrolled systemic disease (uncontrolled diabetes defined by blood sugar HbA1c greater than 7%)
  • Any active local or systemic infections
  • Any diseases or medications that may compromise normal wound healing
  • Currently receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy or a history of radiotherapy in head and neck area.
  • Severe hematologic (blood) disorders
  • Pregnancy or nursing mother
  • Patients undergoing orthodontic therapy
  • Patients taking antibiotics in the past 3 months

Treatment and study plan

Gum Graft Placed on Denuded Bone

Procedure

The provider will administer local anesthesia into the subject's gum in order to numb both the subject's donor and recipient areas for gum grafts. Next, the provider will use a surgical blade to dissect the gum graft from the subject's donor site. At the subject's recipient gum recession defect site, the provider will remove all of the subject's tissue, so that the bone is fully exposed before placing a gum graft from the donor site. Afterward, the provider will place sutures in the subject's recipient site in order to promote healing/re-growth.

Gum Graft Placed on Split Thickness Periosteal Bed Preparation

Procedure

The provider will administer local anesthesia into the subject's gum in order to numb both the subject's donor and recipient areas for gum grafts. Next, the provider will use a surgical blade to dissect the gum graft from the subject's donor site. At the subject's recipient gum recession defect site, the provider will dissect some of the tissue at the subject's recipient site but still keep a small layer of tissue at the subject's recipient site before placing a gum graft from the donor site. Afterward, the provider will place sutures in the subject's recipient site in order to promote healing/re-growth.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change from Baseline in Gingival Thickness as assessed by measurement.

    Time frame: Multiple time points (i.e., Baseline, 3 months, 6 months, 12 months)

    Tissue changes will be assessed in millimeters and percentage.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Carlos Garaicoa Pazmino, DDS, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

(319) 467-4315

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Iowa

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Dimensional Changes of Autogenous Free Epithelialized Gingival Grafts on Different Bed Preparations Among Dental Patients With Thin Tissue Phenotypes: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Important dates

Study start
2028
Primary completion
2030
Study completion
2031
First posted
Jan 13, 2023
Registry last updated
Aug 19, 2025

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.

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