Measuring how a gum graft heals
Dimensional Changes During Early Healing Following Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft for Root Coverage
Ohio State University · NCT07386457
This project will take non-invasive scans, blood-flow readings, and saliva samples from people getting a gum graft to see how the graft heals over time.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 15 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 50 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Ohio State University (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Columbus, Ohio) |
| Trial ID | NCT07386457 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study will follow patients at The Ohio State University Graduate Periodontics Clinic who are scheduled for a subepithelial connective tissue graft to treat gingival recession. Investigators will not perform the surgery but will take non-invasive measurements before and at several time points after standard grafting, using a digital intraoral scanner to quantify swelling, a blood-flow device to monitor new vessel formation, and saliva sampling with sterile paper strips to collect biomarkers. Participants are clinical patients who meet inclusion criteria such as Miller class I–III recession, specific tooth locations (incisors, canines, premolars), and low plaque/gingival indices. The goal is to characterize normal healing patterns of grafted gum tissue to inform clinical expectations and post-operative care.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are adult OSU dental patients planned for a subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) for Miller class I–III gingival recession on incisors, canines, or premolars, with low plaque and gingival indices who can give consent.
Not a fit: Patients with diabetes, organ transplants, medications that affect the gums, active caries on the target tooth, smokeless tobacco use, pregnancy or lactation, or significant immune or hygiene limitations are excluded and unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help dentists better predict healing times and tailor post-operative care for patients receiving gum grafts.
How similar studies have performed: Similar non-invasive imaging and blood-flow measurement approaches have been used to study soft-tissue healing, but detailed serial characterization specifically after SCTG remains limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical (oral) Ohio State University College of Dentistry patient, treatment planned for SCTG procedure * Miller Recession Class I, II, or III * Teeth; Maxillary or mandibular incisors, canines, pre-molars * Gingival Index ≤ 1 * Plaque Index ≤ 1 * Able and willing to provide informed consent * Able and willing to complete questionnaire Exclusion Criteria: * Carious lesions on the tooth selected for surgical root coverage * Taking any medications affecting the gingiva and/or oral mucosa: phenytoin, calcium channel blockers , cyclosporin A, immunostimulants/ immunomodulators * Quantitative and/or qualitative defects on host inflammatory cells * Organ transplant(s) * Type I or II diabetes * Currently pregnant or lactating * Usage of smokeless tobacco * Physical/mental handicap which can interfere with adequate oral hygiene performance
Where this trial is running
Columbus, Ohio
- The Ohio State University Graduate Periodontics Clinic — Columbus, Ohio, United States (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Binnaz Leblebicioglu — Ohio State University
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Gingival Recession