Modified Coronally Advanced Tunnel for Mandibular Lingual Root Coverage
United States20 participantsStarted 2026-06
Plain-language summary
This study will follow adults who have gum recession on the tongue side of the lower teeth. Participants will receive a gum surgery called the Modified Coronally Advanced Tunnel technique with a connective tissue graft taken from the roof of the mouth. The study will include 20 participants and will follow them for up to 24 months after surgery. The main outcome is how much of the exposed root is covered 6 months after surgery. The study will also measure gum thickness, gum width, tooth sensitivity, healing, patient comfort, satisfaction, and three-dimensional soft tissue changes using intraoral scans.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age 18-65 years
* Single or multiple Cairo RT1 lingual gingival recessions ≥3 mm on mandibular incisors, canines, or premolars
* Identifiable CEJ on the lingual aspect
* Vital uniradicular teeth
* Full-mouth plaque score \<20%
* Smokes less than 10 cigarettes per day
* Adequate mouth opening for lingual access
* Sufficient palatal donor tissue thickness (≥2 mm at 2-3 mm from gingival margin)
Exclusion Criteria:
* Positive urine pregnancy test or self-reported lactation
* Smoker more than 10 cigarettes per day
* Uncontrolled systemic diseases, at the discretion of the PI (diabetes HbA1c \>7%, cardiovascular disease, immunocompromised)
* Use of medications affecting periodontal tissues (phenytoin, calcium channel blockers, immunosuppressants)
* Use of blood thinners
* Previous root coverage surgery at treated sites
* Teeth with cervical restorations or caries on lingual surfaces
* Inadequate attached gingiva (\<1 mm)
* Prominent lingual frenum attachment requiring frenectomy
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Mean Change in Root Coverage from Baseline at 6 Months