The historical development of surgical techniques with connective tissue graft in root coverage of gingival recessions: a narrative review.

Aims: To address the historical development of surgical techniques for root coverage using connective tissue grafts. Materials and Methods: A descriptive narrative literature review was conducted to obtain a synthesis of classic and relevant surgical techniques for the scientific community in the fields of regenerative and aesthetic periodontics, focusing on root coverage. The review included the following types of publications: scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals, literature reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, controlled and randomized clinical studies. Results: The analysis of the evolution of surgical techniques in periodontics not only opens doors for innovations but also encourages prospective research and advances in the field, improving patients' quality of life. The combination of microsurgical principles and refined anatomical knowledge has propelled periodontal plastic surgeries, resulting in less invasive approaches and predictable outcomes regarding the level of root coverage. Conclusion: Although connective tissue grafting is a standard for root coverage, the pursuit of excellence requires incorporating techniques that minimize postoperative morbidity. This demonstrates the ongoing commitment to improving care and outcomes in the field.