Free gingival autograft for augmentation of keratinized tissue in apical to gingival recession – A case report

Abstract

Background: The treatment of the mucogingival problem is one of the main objectives of the periodontal therapy. The insufficient or absent attached gingiva increases the risk of development of gingival recessions. Method: One patient with Miller class II gingival recession and small vestibule depth in the frontal mandibular region was selected for treatment. Autogenous free gingival grafts harvested from the palatal mucosa were used to gain the attached gingiva. Result: The initial healing completed in 2 weeks without complication. The augmentation of the attached gingival tissue using the free gingival graft technique led to gain of attached gingiva in the treated regions. Conclusion: The limitations of the apical mucosal flap displacement for preparation of recipient site in situations with inadequate vestibule depth and small alveolar bone height require a graft with small width. The result from the presented case report with application of the free gingival graft indicates that it could be applied when augmentation of the attached gingiva tissue.

Keywords

• Attached gingiva
• Free gingival autograft
• Mucogingival defect
• Recession
• Shallow vestibule