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NCT Number: NCT06197893

Modified Sling and Conventional Suture Techniques in Free Gingival Graft Operations

The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of conventional suture (CS) and modified sling suture (MSS) techniques, applied in free gingival graft (FGG) surgery using gingival unit graft (GUG) and conventional graft (CG) techniques, on clinical parameters and graft dimensions.

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Key information

Conditions

Gingival Recession, Localized Gingival Diseases Gingival Recession Mouth Diseases Periodontal Atrophy Periodontal Diseases Stomatognathic Diseases

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Bezmialem Vakıf University

Istanbul, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of conventional suture (CS) and modified sling suture (MSS) techniques, applied in free gingival graft (FGG) surgery using gingival unit graft (GUG) and conventional graft (CG) techniques, on clinical parameters and graft dimensions.

METHODS: 52 individuals having Cairo Type 2 (RT2) and Type 3 (RT3) gingival recessions in mandibular anterior region were divided into four groups as a) GUG+MSS (n=13), b) GUG+CS (n=13), c) CG+MSS (n=13) and d) CG+CS (n=13). Keratinized gingival width (KGW), keratinized tissue thickness (KGT), relative gingival recession height (rGRH), and relative vestibule depth (rVD) measurements were recorded using a digital caliper and periodontal probe UNC 15. Dimensional changes (Δ) of the graft surface area (GSA) was determined by ImageJ software. All measurements were done at baseline and repeated 1st and 3rd months.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Systemically healthy individuals
  • <1 mm of attached gingiva on mandibular incisors
  • PI and GI scores <1
  • Patients who had not previously undergone soft tissue surgery in the relevant area

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant or lactating women
  • Patients younger than 18 years old
  • Mandibular incisors with having restoration, probing depth ≥ 3 mm, malposition and/or endodontic problem
  • Maxillary premolars with gingival recession in the palatal area and/or prosthetic restoration

Treatment and study plan

gingival unit graft+modified sling suture technique

Procedure

The GUG was obtained from the maxillary premolar area. A sulcular incision including the marginal gingival tissue, and two vertical incisions, including the distal and mesial papillae, was made in the palatial parts of the premolars. Then, the incision lines were combined and a 1-1.5 mm thick graft of the desired dimensions was dissected. The dissected graft was fixed to the recipient site with 5/0 polypropylene suture using a modified sling suture technique. First, the needle was passed through the graft slightly apical to the mesial papilla on the buccal side and removed from the lingual aspect including lingual papilla. Subsequently, on the distal side, the needle was passed from the lingual side to the buccal side, and it was passed through the graft slightly apical to the distal papilla and removed from the lingual gingiva again. Then it was knotted on the buccal graft by returning to the buccal starting point on the mesial side.

Gingival unit graft and conventional suture technique

Procedure

The GUG was obtained from the maxillary premolar area. The dissected graft was fixed to the recipient site with 5/0 polypropylene suture using conventional suture technique. Conventional suture technique includes a horizontal matrix suture and 2 simple sutures. First the coronal part of the dissected graft was fixed to the recipient bed with a horizontal matrix suture, then with 2 simple sutures along the vertical incision line from mesial and distal sides with 5/0 polypropylene suture.

Conventional graft and modified sling suture technique

Procedure

Conventional graft dimensions were determined with aluminum foil and the foil was placed in the palatinal region at the level of the maxillary premolars, at least 2 mm away from the free gingival margin of the adjacent teeth. The exterier edges of the foil were drawn with a scalpel and the 1-1.5 mm thick graft was dissected from the donor site. The dissected graft was fixed to the recipient site with 5/0 polypropylene suture using a modified sling suture technique.

Conventional graft and conventional suture technique

Procedure

Conventional graft obtained from the palatinal region at the level of the maxillary premolars, at least 2 mm away from the free gingival margin of the adjacent teeth. The dissected graft was fixed to the recipient site with 5/0 polypropylene suture using conventional suture technique.

Primary outcomes

  1. Graft shrinkage

    Time frame: baseline, 1-, 3-months after FGG surgery

    The shrinkage of the graft area was calculated according to the differences between the graft area at baseline, 1st, 3rd months using ImageJ software.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Keratinized tissue weight gain (KTW)

    Time frame: baseline, 1-, 3-months after FGG surgery

    Alginate impressions of each participants were taken from mandibular teeth and an acrylic stent containing both mandibular canine-canine teeth was prepared. The measurements were made relatively with reference to the predetermined points on the stent. KTW was measured as the distance from the buccal midpoint of tooth between the free gingival margin and the alveolar mucosa.

Other outcomes

  1. Relative vestibule depth (rVD)

    Time frame: baseline, 1-, 3-months after FGG surgery

    Alginate impressions of each participants were taken from mandibular teeth and an acrylic stent containing both mandibular canine-canine teeth was prepared. The measurements were made relatively with reference to the predetermined points on the stent. The distance between the reference point on the acrylic stent and mucogingival junction was considered as the relative vestibular depth.

  2. Probing pocket depth (PD)

    Time frame: baseline, 1-, 3-months after FGG surgery

    Probing pocket depth measured as the distance between the base of the pocket and the free gingival margin from the mesial, midbuccal and distal surfaces of the tooth belonging to the surgical site.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Bezmialem Vakif University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Comparison of Conventional and Modified Sling Suture Techniques In Free Gingival Graft Operations With CAIRO Type 2 and Type 3 Localized Gingival Recessions

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2022
Study completion
2022
First posted
Jan 9, 2024
Registry last updated
Jan 11, 2024

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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