Comparative evaluation of Zucchelli’s technique with platelet-rich fibrin versus vestibular incision subperiosteal tunnel access technique with platelet-rich fibrin in the treatment of multiple gingival recessions: A randomized controlled trial
Purushottam Sakharam Rakhewar, Aaishwarya Sharadchandra Tikhile, Sakshi Suhas KanherkarAbstract:
Background:
The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Vestibular Incision Subperiosteal Tunnel Access (VISTA) approach with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and the Zucchelli technique with PRF in treating multiple gingival recessions.
Materials and Methods:
Thirty-four systemically healthy individuals with multiple adjacent gingival recessions were divided into two groups at random: the VISTA technique with PRF (test group) and the Zucchelli technique with PRF (control group). At baseline, 3 months, and 6 months, clinical parameters such as recession depth, recession width, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level, gingival thickness, and width of keratinized gingiva (WKG) were measured. Patient-centered outcome such as postoperative discomfort, chewing capacity, dentinal hypersensitivity, and esthetic satisfaction were assessed.
Results:
At 6 months, all clinical measures showed statistically significant improvements in both groups. The Zucchelli and VISTA groups had mean root coverage of 78.07% and 73.54%, respectively, with no statistically significant intergroup difference. In the early postoperative phase, the Zucchelli group had significantly better patient-reported pain and chewing ability scores.
Conclusion:
For the treatment of multiple gingival recessions, the Zucchelli technique with PRF and the VISTA technique with PRF were both reliable and successful methods. Both methods produced similar clinical and esthetic results at 6 months, despite the Zucchelli procedure showing superior early postoperative comfort.