Clinical and Histological Evaluation of Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft Maturation at Different Healing Timepoints, With and Without Topical Application of a Polynucleotide- and Hyaluronic Acid-Based Gel
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid gel, subepithelial connective tissue graft harvesting.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Gingival Recession, Generalized, Gingival Recession, Localized, Wound Healing, Palate; Wound. Basic parameters: 18 years — 60 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Clinical and Histological Evaluation of Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft Maturation at Different Healing Timepoints, With and Without Topical Application of a Polynucleotide- and Hyaluronic Acid-Based Gel: A Randomized, Blinded, Controlled Clinical Trial With a Split-Mouth Design
Overview
This study evaluates whether a 9-week healing interval is sufficient for subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) maturation after palatal harvesting, and whether topical application of a polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid gel (Regenfast®) improves tissue quality. This is a randomized, blinded, controlled clinical trial with a split-mouth design involving 15 participants. Each participant undergoes bilateral SCTG harvesting from the palate in two surgical sessions 9 weeks apart. In the first session, one randomized side receives a single topical application of Regenfast® after graft removal; the contralateral side serves as control. Standardized tissue fragments (3×3 mm, 1.5 mm thickness) are collected from each graft for histological (HE, Picrosirius Red) and immunohistochemical analyses. Comparisons are made between grafts collected at baseline and after 9 weeks, and between sides treated with or without the gel.
Detailed description
Surgical procedures and sample collections will be performed at Instituto Kahn Odontologia (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Laboratory analyses will be conducted at the Histology Laboratory of the School of Dentistry of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo (FORP-USP).
SCTG removal will be performed using the double incision technique (Harris, 2003) with a standardized 1.5 mm guide scalpel, under local anesthesia (2% lidocaine, 1:100,000 epinephrine). From each graft, a standardized fragment (3×3 mm, 1.5 mm thickness) will be collected from the distal portion and immediately fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 24-48 hours, then transferred to 70% alcohol.
Laboratory analyses will include: (1) Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) for general morphological assessment; (2) Picrosirius Red under polarized light for quantification of collagen density and proportion of type I and type III collagen fibers; (3) Immunohistochemistry for vascularization assessment, measuring microvessel density (n/mm²) and vascular area (%).
Statistical analysis will use paired Student's t-test or Wilcoxon test for paired samples, depending on data distribution (Shapiro-Wilk test), with significance level of 5% (p\<0.05).
Interventions
- Drug polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid gel
Single topical application of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid gel (Regenfast, 0.3 ml) to the palatal donor site immediately after subepithelial connective tissue graft harvesting in the first surgical session, before suturing. - Procedure subepithelial connective tissue graft harvesting
Bilateral subepithelial connective tissue graft harvesting from the palatal donor site using the double incision technique (Harris, 2003) with a standardized 1.5 mm guide scalpel, under local anesthesia (2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine). Performed in two surgical sessions with a 9-week interval.
Primary outcome measures
- Histological Tissue Architecture of the Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft [Time frame: Baseline and 9 weeks after initial graft harvesting]
- Collagen Density and Fiber Maturation of the Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft [Time frame: Baseline and 9 weeks after initial graft harvesting]
- Microvascular Density and Vascular Area of the Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft [Time frame: Baseline and 9 weeks after initial graft harvesting]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Age between 18 and 60 years
- Good general systemic health
- Presence of multiple bilateral gingival recessions with indication for root coverage
Exclusion criteria
- Smoking of any intensity
- Pregnancy or lactation
- Oral lesions or alterations in the palatal mucosa
- Previous history of graft harvesting from the donor area
- Continuous use of medications that interfere with the inflammatory response, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants
- Autoimmune diseases, coagulation disorders, or other systemic conditions affecting wound healing
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Publications
- Harris RJ. Histologic evaluation of connective tissue grafts in humans. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2003 Dec;23(6):575-83. PMID 14703761
- Harris RJ. The connective tissue and partial thickness double pedicle graft: a predictable method of obtaining root coverage. J Periodontol. 1992 May;63(5):477-86. doi: 10.1902/jop.1992.63.5.477. PMID 1527693
- Cairo F, Cavalcanti R, Barbato L, Nieri M, Castelluzzo W, di Martino M, Pilloni A. Polynucleotides and Hyaluronic Acid (PN-HA) Mixture With or Without Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral as a Novel Approach for the Treatment of Deep Infrabony Defects: A Retrospective Case Series. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2025 Mar 6;45(2):153-163. doi: 10.11607/prd.7065. PMID 38363180
- Pilloni A, Rojas MA, Trezza C, Carere M, De Filippis A, Marsala RL, Marini L. Clinical effects of the adjunctive use of polynucleotide and hyaluronic acid-based gel in the subgingival re-instrumentation of residual periodontal pockets: A randomized, split-mouth clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2023 Mar;94(3):354-363. doi: 10.1002/JPER.22-0225. Epub 2022 Nov 23. PMID 36189651
- Skierska I, Gorski B, Fus L. Tunnel technique and subepithelial connective tissue graft, with or without cross-linked hyaluronic acid, in the treatment of multiple gingival recessions: 12-month outcomes of a randomized clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2024 Nov;95(11):1060-1072. doi: 10.1002/JPER.24-0093. Epub 2024 May 29. PMID 38808976
- Tavelli L, Barootchi S, Stefanini M, Zucchelli G, Giannobile WV, Wang HL. Wound healing dynamics, morbidity, and complications of palatal soft-tissue harvesting. Periodontol 2000. 2023 Jun;92(1):90-119. doi: 10.1111/prd.12466. Epub 2022 Dec 30. PMID 36583690
- Tavelli L, Barootchi S, Siqueira R, Kauffmann F, Majzoub J, Stefanini M, Zucchelli G, Wang HL. Three-Dimensional Volumetric Analysis of the Palatal Donor Site Following Soft Tissue Harvesting. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent. 2022 May-Jun;42(3):393-399. doi: 10.11607/prd.5268. PMID 35472117
- Soileau KM, Brannon RB. A histologic evaluation of various stages of palatal healing following subepithelial connective tissue grafting procedures: a comparison of eight cases. J Periodontol. 2006 Jul;77(7):1267-73. doi: 10.1902/jop.2006.050129. PMID 16805692
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07708051 · 95625625.9.0000.5419 · 95625625.9.0000.5419