Comparing CAF and TCAF With Soft Tissue Grafting for Treating Multiple Recessions in the Maxilla.

NCT07158528 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: ONZ-2025-0158
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 34
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Multiple techniques can be used for recession coverage. The most common techniques are: tunnel technique (T), coronally advanced flap (CAF) or a combination of both (TCAF). Tunnel and coronally advanced flap are frequently used in clinical practice, whereas the combined technique is a relatively recently developed surgical approach. This randomized controlled trial compares CAF and TCAF to determine which technique provides better root coverage for receding gums at multiple adjacent teeth in the upper jaw. The main question it aims to answer is: \- What is the average root coverage achieved with each technique in the short and long term? This may be clinically relevant because covering gum recession can reduce tooth sensitivity, improve aesthetics and make oral hygiene easier. Researchers will compare the coronally advanced flap (CAF = the gum is detached and repositioned higher) with the tunneled coronally advanced flap (TCAF = the gum is undermined, only partially detached and repositioned higher). In both techniques, a small piece of tissue is removed from the palate, which is used to cover the recession. The purpose of the connective tissue graft under the flap/tunnel is to increase thickness and provide support. Participants will:

• Undergo surgery (CAF or TCAF, randomly assigned) to cover recessions
• Attend regular check-ups for up to 10 years after surgery
• Keep a postoperative journal (recording medication use, pain levels, tooth sensitivity, etc.)

Conditions

Gingival Recession Generalized Moderate; Gingival Recession Localized Moderate; Gingival Recession, Generalized; Gingival Recession, Localized; Gingival Recession, Plastic Surgery; Gingival Recessions; Gingival Recession, Mucogingival Surgery

Keywords

TCAF; CAF; tunneled coronally advanced flap; coronally advanced flap; maxilla; multiple recessions; MAGR; multiple adjacent gingival recessions

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• mean root coverage

  The average percentage of previously exposed tooth surface that becomes covered by gingival tissue following a root coverage procedure.

  From enrollment up to ten years after surgical treatment.

Secondary Outcomes (13)

• complete root coverage

  From enrollment up to ten years after surgical treatment.

• pocket depth

  From enrollment up to ten years after surgical treatment.

• recession reduction

  From enrollment up to ten years after surgical treatment.

• width of keratinized tissue

  From enrollment up to ten years after surgical treatment.

• gingival thickness

  From enrollment up to ten years after surgical treatment.

Study Arms (2)

TCAF + CTG

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Tunneled coronally advanced flap with a connective tissue graft.

Procedure: tunneled coronally advanced flap with a connective tissue graft

CAF + CTG

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Coronally advanced flap with a connective tissue graft.

Procedure: coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft

Interventions

coronally advanced flap with connective tissue graft PROCEDURE

The gum at the recession site is elevated and repositioned higher, combined with a connective tissue graft.

Also known as: CAF + CTG

CAF + CTG

tunneled coronally advanced flap with a connective tissue graft PROCEDURE

The gum at the recession site is undermined, only partially detached, and repositioned higher, combined with a connective tissue graft.

Also known as: TCAF + CTG

TCAF + CTG

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• At least 18 years of age
• Good oral hygiene
• Presence of multiple gingival recessions in the maxilla
• Good general health

You may not qualify if:

• Smoker
• Pregnant women (assessed at each visit; if the patient becomes pregnant during follow-up, radiographs will not be taken)

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Ghent: lead

Study Sites (1)

Department of Periodontology and Implantology of Ghent University

Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, 9000, Belgium

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Gingival Recession

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Gingival Diseases; Periodontal Diseases; Mouth Diseases; Stomatognathic Diseases; Periodontal Atrophy

Central Study Contacts

Véronique Prof. Dr. Christiaens

CONTACT

+32 332 40 17; vchristi.christiaens@ugent.be

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 28, 2025
• First Posted: September 8, 2025
• Study Start: August 18, 2025
• Primary Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2037
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2037
• Last Updated: September 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

BE (1)