Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
A Novel Approach to Monitoring Graft Neovascularization in the Human Gingiva
Published on: January 12, 2019
Tunnel Technique With Collagen Matrix Compared With Connective Tissue Graft for Treatment of Periodontal Recession: A
Marta Cieślik-Wegemund1,2, Beata Wierucka-Młynarczyk1,2, Marta Tanasiewicz2
1Department of Periodontal and Oral Mucosa Diseases, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Background:
The aim of this study is to compare efficacy of the tunnel technique for root coverage using collagen matrix (CM) versus connective tissue graft (CTG) for treatment of multiple recessions of Miller Classes I and II over a short period of time.
Methods:
Twenty-eight patients were enrolled in the study. Patients in the control group were treated with the tunnel technique using CTGs, whereas patients in the test group were treated with the tunnel technique using xenogeneic CM. Clinical recordings were obtained at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Percentages of average recession coverage (ARC) and complete recession coverage (CRC) were evaluated 3 and 6 months after surgery.
Results:
Significant decreases were recorded in both groups of recession parameters compared with baseline measurements. Mean recession depth (0.21 versus 0.39 mm) and recession area (0.31 versus 0.53 mm2) after 6 months were significantly higher in the test group (P <0.05). Mean keratinized tissue width (KTW) increased at a similar rate in both groups (1.0 versus 0.8 mm for control and test groups, respectively). ARC after 6 months was 95% in the control group and 91% in the test group (P <0.05), and CRC was 71.4% (10/14) in the control group and 14.3% (2/14) in the test group (P <0.05).
Conclusion:
Xenogeneic CM combined with tunnel technique leads to satisfactory ARC and increase in KTW similar to CTG, but yields lower unsatisfactory CRC.
