Root Coverage With Connective Tissue Graft Associated With VISTA Versus Tunnel Technique

Several techniques were proposed in the literature to solve the problems associated with gingival recession. Root coverage was mainly indicated for esthetic concern, however, it might also be indicated for treatment of root hypersensitivity and maintaining adequate plaque control by keratinized tissue augmentation.

These proposed surgical techniques were well-documented with successful outcomes. Each technique had its own advantages, disadvantages and indications. Various factors affected the most suitable technique. These factors were either related to the dimensions of gingival recession defect, or related to the surgeon experience or to the patient himself .

Nowadays, the scope of scientific research is concerned with designing surgical techniques that are more predictable, high esthetic, less invasive and patient centered In this way, continuous modification of surgical techniques aroused to result in a more reproducible outcomes; such as the attempt to advance pedicle flaps without vertical releasing incisions, as in the modified coronally advanced flap and the modified microsurgical tunnel technique.

However, controversy still exist in the literature regarding the best technique for root coverage. Coronally advanced flap is the most commonly reported technique in research, with lack of researches on tunneling techniques.

Nowadays, esthetic demands increased greatly where all seek a Hollywood smile with a white well-aligned teeth and pink healthy gingiva. Therefore, the demand on treatment of gingival recession increased. Since most gingival recession cases are generalized or involve multiple sites so, current research is focusing on how treatment of multiple recession defects can be efficient and less traumatic.

Several modifications of tunnel technique have been described in order to preserve esthetics, avoid relapse of gingival recession and maintain papillary integrity. These modifications also attend to avoid scar formation and delayed healing related to vertical releasing incision.

Although tunneling technique excluded vertical incisions with its drawbacks, tunneling was still a sensitive and a blind technique with increased trauma to sulcular epithelium which eventually resulted in unfavorable healing outcomes. So evolution of a newer approach known as Vestibular Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) was proposed to avoid some of the potential complications occurring with other intrasulcular tunneling techniques.

Moreover, a study by Cairo et al., 2009 reported increased incidence of post-operative pain and increased chair side time with tunneling in comparison to coronally advanced flap.

However, the evidence in literature is minimal on VISTA technique and there is no enough data comparing patient morbidity and root coverage outcomes between intrasulcular tunneling and vestibular tunneling except for few case reports. Therefore, this study aim to do a randomized clinical trial in order to assess the efficacy of VISTA technique in treatment of multiple gingival recession and compare it to tunneling technique.

The use of connective tissue graft seems to be a key of success in treatment of gingival recession regardless of the surgical technique used. Although there are numerous studies focusing on the effect of subepithelial connective tissue graft for the treatment of localized gingival recessions, but still more studies are needed to focus on the treatment of multiple recession defects.

Therefore, this study will monitor the effect of tunneling and VISTA techniques together with connective tissue graft on patient morbidity and root coverage outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients 18 years or older.
2. Periodontally and systemically healthy.
3. Presence of at least one Miller class I or II buccal gingival recession defect ≥1 and \<6 mm in depth (Miller 1985)
4. Teeth to be treated: Upper and lower central and lateral incisors, canine, first and second premolars, and first molar
5. Full-mouth plaque and bleeding scores ≤ 20%, no pocket depths \>3 mm, no active periodontal Disease.
6. Clinical indication and/or patient request for recession coverage.
7. Radiographic evidence of sufficient interdental bone (i.e., the distance between the crestal bone and the cementoenamel junction is not greater than two mm)
8. Gingival thickness of at least 0.5mm at a point located three mm below the free gingival margin.
9. A minimum of two mm of keratinized gingiva (thick biotype).

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Miller class III or IV recession defects.
2. Thin biotype , gingival thickness less than or equal 0.5
3. Smokers as smoking is a contraindication for any plastic periodontal surgery (Khuller, 2009).
4. Handicapped and mentally retarded patients.
5. Teeth with cervical restorations, abrasion.
6. Patients unable to undergo minor oral surgical procedures.
7. Patients with a history of drug or alcohol abuse.
8. Patients with a history of psychiatric disorder.
9. Pregnant females.
10. Uncontrolled periodontal disease or patient unwillingness to undergo needed periodontal therapy around remaining teeth.
11. Patients who have any systemic condition that may contraindicate any other surgical procedures such as bleeding disorders, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and immune compromised patients such as HIV patients.