Histologic and Histomorphometric Evaluation of a Connective Tissue Graft Retrieved with a Novel Deepithelialization Procedure: A Case Series.

Abstract

Various free connective tissue graft (CTG) harvesting techniques have been reported. The lining epithelium of the palatal graft may be retrieved either intra- or extraorally. This report presents a series of root coverage cases where deepithelialization was intraorally performed before harvesting the graft with a round diamond bur mounted on a low-speed handpiece. Ten single-tooth gingival recession defects in five patients were treated, applying a surgical procedure based on a coronally advanced flap combined with a free CTG that was deepithelialized in situ by the same method. Recession and probing depths and keratinized tissue and recession widths were recorded at baseline and the follow-up evaluations. Follow-up was between 7 and 21 months (mean: 12.1 ± 5.04 months). Clinical, esthetic, and histologic evaluations were performed. Mean root coverage was 89% ± 24.86% (range: 25% to 100%), and complete root coverage was observed in 80% of cases; the esthetic score range was 6 to 9 (mean: 7.44 ± 1.01). Epithelial remnants, although different in proportions, were evident in all samples (range of prevalence: 4.57% to 29.12%). Within the limitations of the small number of clinical cases, the presented in situ deepithelialization technique for CTG seems to be valuable and may accordingly be routinely applied.