Three soft-tissue methods for single immediate implants in the upper front teeth
Official title: A Three-arm Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Transmucosal Augmentation Techniques in Immediate Implant Placement
Run by University Ghent · NCT06820489 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This will see which of three soft-tissue grafting methods best prevents buccal gum loss for adults receiving a single immediate implant in the upper front teeth.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 20 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 54 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University Ghent Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ghent, East Flanders) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | November 1, 2031 |
| Registry record updated | January 9, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06820489 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥20) with good oral hygiene who need extraction of a single upper front tooth and who have adequate apical/palatal bone and an intact or minimally dehiscent buccal bone are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who smoke, have uncontrolled systemic disease, active infection, untreated periodontal disease, >1 mm gingival asymmetry, or inadequate bone for primary stability are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a randomized, three-arm trial that enrolls 54 adults receiving a single immediate implant in the anterior maxilla, with participants randomly assigned to conventional connective tissue graft (C-CTG), scarf CTG (S-CTG), or the dual‑zone (DZ) approach. All participants receive socket grafting and immediate implant placement; the only difference between groups is the transmucosal soft‑tissue augmentation technique. Outcomes are measured with low‑dose CBCT scans and clinical exams, with the primary outcome defined as successful regeneration 1 mm below the implant shoulder based on superimposed CBCTs; outcome assessors are blinded. Secondary outcomes include clinical parameters, hard- and soft‑tissue dimensional changes, esthetic scores, and patient‑reported pain and medication use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If one method performs better, patients could have less buccal tissue loss after immediate implants, improving esthetics and long‑term implant support.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows connective tissue grafting and dual‑zone approaches can reduce soft‑tissue loss and improve esthetics, but direct randomized comparisons of these three specific techniques are limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * At least 20 years old * Good oral hygiene defined as full-mouth plaque score ≤ 25% * Presence of an incisor, cuspid or premolar in the maxilla that needs to be extracted for any reason with at least one neighboring tooth present * At least 3 mm bone available at the apical or palatal aspect of the alveolus as assessed on CBCT to ensure primary implant stability * Intact buccal bone wall (type I) or limited buccal bone dehiscence (type IIa or IIb) at the time of extraction * Written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Systemic diseases * Smoking; suppuration * \> 1 mm gingival asymmetry between the failing and contralateral tooth * Untreated periodontal disease * Untreated caries lesions.
Where it's running
-
Ghent University Hospital
Ghent, East Flanders, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Véronique Christiaens, PhD
- Email: vchristi.christiaens@UGent.be
- Phone: 09/332 40 17
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.