Comparing two surgical techniques for treating gum recession

Comparison of Pinhole Surgical Technique and Tunnel Technique for the Treatment of Gingival Recession: A Split Mouth Clinical and Digital Study

NA · University of Kentucky · NCT04513041

This study is testing two different gentle surgical methods for fixing gum recession to see which one works better and how patients feel afterward.

Quick facts

PhaseNA
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment25 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 75 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Kentucky (other)
Locations1 site (Lexington, Kentucky)
Trial IDNCT04513041 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial is designed to compare the effectiveness of two minimally invasive surgical techniques, the pinhole surgical technique (PST) and the tunnel technique, for treating gingival recession. Each participant will undergo both procedures on different quadrants of their mouth, allowing for a direct comparison of outcomes such as root coverage and gingival tissue thickness. The study will also assess postoperative pain and patient satisfaction using a visual analog scale. Patients will be monitored at various time points to evaluate healing and recovery.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18-75 with specific types of gum recession and healthy dental conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with non-salvageable teeth or those experiencing infections or inflammation in the affected area may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into the most effective surgical technique for improving gum health and patient satisfaction.

How similar studies have performed: While both surgical techniques are commonly used, this study is novel as it directly compares their outcomes in a prospective manner.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* between 18-75 years old
* have at least one non-mobile tooth with Cairo class I gingival recession of 2 to 6 mm.
* American Society of Anesthesiology class I and II
* full mouth plaque score (FMPS) and full mouth bleeding score (FMBS) below 20%

Exclusion Criteria:

* sites of gingival recession around teeth that are non-salvageable
* presence of any exudate, infection or local inflammation around the area to be grafted
* pregnant or breastfeeding females

Where this trial is running

Lexington, Kentucky

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.

View on ClinicalTrials.gov →

Conditions: Gingival Recession

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.