Clinical efficacy of tunnel flap combined with de-epithelialized connective tissue graft in treating gingival recession: a case-series study.

Jie Ni, Hang Yang, Xiaojun Li, Fei Chen, Wei Lu, Xinjian Ye, Xia Cai, Fuming He

Abstract read

In one paragraph

Article in Odontology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Jie Ni *Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China.

Hang Yang *Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China.

Xiaojun LiKey Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China.

Fei ChenKey Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China.

Wei LuKey Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China.

Xinjian YeKey Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China.

Xia CaiKey Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China. cxshidou@zju.edu.cn.

Fuming HeKey Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Stomatology, Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Engineering Research Center of Oral Biomaterials and Devices of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310000, China. hfm@zju.edu.cn.

Funding

Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities 2024BSSXM19National Key R&D Program of China 2023YFC2506303National Natural Science Foundation of China 82201114National Natural Science Foundation of China 82271026Program of Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Zhejiang University for Exploration and Investigation Research RD2022DLYB02Research and Development Project of Stomatology Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine RD2022JCEL02

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and influencing factors of the tunnel flap (TUN) combined with de-epithelialized connective tissue graft (DCTG) in the treatment of gingival recession (GR) from patient- and site-specific perspectives. Patients treated with the TUN + DCTG technique for GR between August 2020 and December 2023 were included. Baseline and follow-up periodontal measurements were recorded, including gingival recession depth (GRD), keratinized gingival width (KGW), and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Paired sample t-test was performed to assess the clinical efficacy. Moreover, primary outcome metrics, such as complete root coverage rate (CRC), mean root coverage rate (MRC), root coverage esthetic score (RES), and patient satisfaction, were calculated. Patient- and site-specific influencing factors were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model regression (GLMM). A total of 34 patients with 201 affected teeth were included, comprising 78 cases of Cairo RT1, 86 of RT2, and 37 of RT3. Significant clinical improvements were observed over an average follow-up of 11.97 ± 4.11 months, including reductions in GRD (from 2.13 ± 1.14 mm to 0.48 ± 0.73 mm, P < 0.001) and CAL (from 3.22 ± 1.16 mm to 1.64 ± 0.90 mm, P < 0.001) and increases in KGW (from 2.58 ± 1.28 mm to 3.72 ± 1.66 mm, P < 0.001), with a CRC of 59.2% and MRC of 77.26% ± 33.48%. The mean RES was 8.21 ± 1.74, with 83.3% of patients reporting an improved quality of life. GLMM identified recession type, age, and tooth arch as predictable factors for clinical outcomes (P < 0.001). Within its limitations, this study suggests that the TUN + DCTG technique is a promising approach for managing GR, yielding favorable clinical and aesthetic outcomes. Clinical decision-making for GR treatment should consider a range of influencing factors to optimize individualized patient care.Clinical relevance: The TUN + DCTG technique is a reliable and effective option for GR treatment, providing consistent clinical and aesthetic benefits. Understanding predictive factors enables clinicians to tailor treatment strategies, improving success rates and patient satisfaction.

Indexed as

Connective TissueGingival RecessionSurgical FlapsAdultEsthetics, DentalFemaleGingivaHumansMaleMiddle AgedPatient SatisfactionTreatment OutcomeDe-epithelialized connective tissueGingival recessionKeratinized gingival widthRoot coverageTunnel flap

Identifiers

PMID40221952

DOI10.1007/s10266-025-01100-w

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.