Biofunctionalization of a Volume-stable Collagen Matrix (VCMX) for the Treatment of Single Gingival Recession

The treatment of single gingival recessions comprises different well-established techniques, and the association between coronally advanced flap (CAF) and the subepithelial connective tissue graft is considered the gold standard. However, despite the excellent clinical results obtained, the use of subepithelial connective tissue graft is related to an increased risk of trans and postoperative bleeding, a longer duration of the surgical procedure and greater postoperative pain and morbidity. To overcome these limitations and increase patient acceptance, new biomaterials have been developed as possible alternatives to the use of connective tissue graft. Recently, tissue engineering has been investigating collagen matrices as carriers of biologically active substances. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that the biofunctionalization of these matrices using injectable platelet rich-fibrin (i-PRF) can optimize the healing process of soft tissues using own's patient regenerative components. However, although it has promising potential, clinical studies evaluating the performance of functionalized collagen matrices are still scarce in the literature. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the clinical, esthetic, patient-centered, immuno and microbiological results of the use of the biofunctionalized volume stable collagen matrix (VCMX) for the treatment of single gingival recessions RT1. For such purpose, a randomized controlled clinical trial of superiority, parallel and blind will be carried out. Seventy-five patients with RT1 single gingival recession will be selected, who will be randomly allocated to one of the following groups: CAF+VCMX+i-PRF (n = 25), coronally advanced flap associated with VCMX functionalized with i-PRF; CAF+VCMX (n=25), coronally advanced flap associated with VCMX; and CAF group (n = 25), coronally advanced flap alone (CAF). The groups will be compared regarding clinical, esthetic and patient-centered outcomes at the baseline, three and six months after the surgical procedure. The microbiological evaluation will be performed at baseline, three and six months after surgery and the concentration of inflammatory markers and growth factors will be assessed before the procedure and 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days after treatment.