Air-polishing versus manual root cleaning during gum recession surgery

Impact of Root Surface Conditioning With Erythritol Air Polishing Versus Hand Instrumentation on Recession Coverage Using the Modified Tunnel Technique and Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft: A Randomized Clinical Trial

We will test if using erythritol air-polishing instead of manual root instrumentation during gum recession surgery helps cover exposed roots in adults with multiple RT1/RT2 recessions.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 20 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 60 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Medical University of Warsaw (Academic / other)
• Locations: 1 site (Warsaw, Mazowsze)
• Trial ID: NCT07403006 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Adults with multiple symmetrical bilateral RT1 or RT2 gingival recessions and good oral hygiene will undergo recession coverage using a modified tunnel technique with a subepithelial connective tissue graft. Root surfaces on one side will be conditioned with erythritol air-polishing and the contralateral side with standard manual root instrumentation to allow a within-patient comparison. Outcomes will focus on recession coverage and surgical healing to see whether the less invasive air-polishing method yields comparable or better results. The protocol requires detectable cemento-enamel junction and excludes conditions that impair wound healing.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults (≥18 years) with multiple symmetric bilateral RT1 or RT2 gingival recessions, good plaque and bleeding scores (<15% FMPS and FMBOP), and a detectable CEJ are ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with RT3 recessions, recessions on second or third molars, active periodontitis, uncontrolled systemic conditions affecting healing, or cervical lesions that obscure the CEJ are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, using erythritol air-polishing could make root preparation less invasive and reduce tissue trauma while achieving similar or better recession coverage.

How similar studies have performed: Some preliminary clinical and laboratory work supports erythritol air-polishing for biofilm removal, but robust clinical evidence showing superior root coverage outcomes compared with manual instrumentation is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Multiple RT1 and/or RT2 gingival recessions, symmetrical and bilateral, with a minimum height of ≥ 1 mm
* Full-mouth plaque score (FMPS) \< 15% (assessed on four surfaces per tooth)
* Full-mouth bleeding on probing (FMBOP) \< 15% (assessed on four surfaces per tooth)
* Detectable cemento-enamel junction (CEJ)
* Age ≥ 18 years

Exclusion Criteria:

* RT3 gingival recessions
* Gingival recessions affecting second and third molars
* Systemic or infectious diseases that may impair wound healing, including active malignancy, diabetes mellitus with HbA1c \> 7.0%, history of head and neck radiotherapy, true xerostomia, and HIV/AIDS
* Cervical caries, non-carious cervical lesions, or Class V restorations interfering with the CEJ
* Active periodontitis
* Use of medications affecting periodontal tissues or wound healing, including systemic corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, isotretinoin, bisphosphonates, and monoclonal antibodies with immunosuppressive, antiresorptive, or antiangiogenic effects
* Smoking
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Where this trial is running

Warsaw, Mazowsze

• Department of Periodontology and Oral Mucosa Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw — Warsaw, Mazowsze, Poland (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Magdalena Latkowska - Wiśniewska

Conditions Gingival Recession