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Comparing Gum Tissue Grafts: Palate Tissue vs. Zderm™

This study is for people with little gum tissue around their teeth or dental implants who need a gum graft. We are comparing two ways to do this surgery: using gum tissue from your own palate, or using a material called Zderm™ (a collagen matrix from pig Achilles tendon). Both methods have been used for many years, but we don't know if one works better than the other. This study will help us understand if there's a difference in how much new gum tissue grows with each approach over 6 months. You can join if you are between 18 and 89 years old and your dentist has recommended a gum tissue graft.

Study design
This study plans to enroll 68 participants to compare two different graft materials. It is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive one of the two treatments.
What's involved
Participants will have gum graft surgery and will be followed for 6 months after the surgery to measure changes in gum tissue.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 6 months after the graft surgery to measure the width of keratinized tissue.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT07713199

Free Soft Tissue Grafts FSTG) Using Autograft Palatal Donor Tissue vs. Xenograft Collagen Matrix (Zderm™)

Not Yet Recruiting
NAAges 18–89InterventionalTreatment
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
~68 participants
Updated 2026-07-20 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Zderm

At a glance

Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in width of Keratinized Tissue
Measured over Baseline to 6 months

Conditions

Gingival Recession Localized Moderate
Dental Implant

Explore related trials

Dental ImplantGingival Recession

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
Texas1

Study leadership

  • Brian L Mealey, DDS, MS · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Who to contact

Brian L Mealey, DDS, MS
[email protected]
210-567-3589
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

Male or female patient aged 18 to 89
One or more teeth/dental implants, excluding 3rd molars, that have been identified by dental faculty as requiring augmentation of KT
A FSTG is indicated and treatment planned to augment the KT. Coverage of exposed root surfaces is not indicated or intended. Patients needing root coverage surgical procedures re not eligible for enrollment (similar to our past studies, see references 11,12)
Female patients who have undergone a hysterectomy, tubal ligation, or menopause, and non-pregnant women of child-bearing potential as eligible.
Patients who are nonsmokers or former smokers are eligible. Current smokers may also be included if they smoke \<10 cigarettes per day (less than or equal to 10 cigarettes per day).

Exclusion

Patients with a known allergy to collagen of animal origins.
Patients who will not cooperate with the follow-up schedule.
Patients will not be entered who are mentally incompetent, prisoners, or pregnant.
Patients who require soft tissue grafting specifically to treat exposed root coverage (gingival recession)
Pregnant women or women intending to become pregnant during the study period (as confirmed verbally; an over-the-counter pregnancy test will be provided if pregnancy status is unknown or suspected).
Patients who become pregnant during the study will be withdrawn and standard care will be delivered.
Patients with active or systemic infections other than periodontitis; a disease entity, condition or therapeutic regimen which decreases probability of soft tissue healing, e.g., poorly controlled diabetes, autoimmune diseases, long-term steroid therapy.
Smokers who smoke \>10 cigarettes per day (more than 10 cigarettes per day)

What this trial measures

  • Change in width of Keratinized TissueBaseline to 6 months

    The change in vertical distance from the gingival margin to the keratinized base of the grafted site measured on digital scans, and from the fixed reference point on the customized measurement stent to the keratinized base of the grafted site measured intra-orally.