Effectiveness of Titanium Prepared Platelet Rich Fibrin Membrane vs Platelet Rich Fibrin Membrane in the Treatment of Multiple Gingival Recession Defects using M-VISTA Technique: Protocol for a Randomised Clinical Trial

Introduction: The focus of root coverage procedures is now shifting to minimally invasive surgical approaches. Periodontists are being required to adopt newer and more unique procedures to thoroughly cover the exposed roots. Due to the sensitivity of various techniques and the fact that it involves a wide variety of operations and their variants, periodontal plastic surgery provide a substantial challenge. A variety of minimally invasive techniques and platelet concentrates which are abundant in growth factors have been assimilated that provide the added benefit of better and rapid healing.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Titanium-Prepared Platelet Rich Fibrin (T-PRF) and Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) membrane in Miller’s Class-I and Class-II multiple Gingival Recession (GR) using Modified-Vestibular Incision Supra-Periosteal Tunnel Access (M-VISTA) technique.

Materials and Methods: The planned protocol would be randomised clinical trial and will be performed over a period of two years. Twenty-two patients will be selected according to the inclusion criteria, each having multiple GR (>2 mm, Class I or II recession) on buccal/labial aspects of teeth in maxilla or mandible, and would be randomly distributed into the two groups (control and test). The M-VISTA technique would be carried out for root coverage using T-PRF (test group) and PRF (control), respectively as regenerative materials and their effectiveness will be compared by measuring the Pocket Probing Depth (PPD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Relative Gingival Marginal Level (RGML), Recession Depth (RD) and Width of Keratinised Gingiva (WKG). Student’s paired and unpaired t-tests will be used to evaluate data from the baseline to three and six months for each group.

Expected Results: The authors expect better results of root coverage using the M-VISTA technique in combination with T-PRF (test group). Better results in terms of PPD, CAL, RGML, RD, and increase in thickness of attached gingiva are expected.

Conclusion: Combined effect of using T-PRF in the M-VISTA procedure is expected to improve the periodontal parameters including, the soft tissue outcomes and the plaque and bleeding index.