Treatment of Localized Gingival Recessions: Part II. Coronally Repositioned Flap with a Free Gingival Graft

Fourteen teeth with localized gingival recessions were treated using a coronally repositioned flap with a free gingival graft (Bernimoulin, 1973). The second step of the procedure was performed 1 month after the free gingival graft was done. Clinical measurements of the recession, sulcus depth and keratinized gingiva were taken preoperatively and at 30, 90 and 180 days after surgery. A mean reduction in the recession of 2.73 mm was obtained after 6 months, which was equivalent to a 64% decrease of the original recession. A significant increase in the width of the keratinized gingiva, averaging 3.27 mm, was found after 6 months. All results remained stable after 30 days postoperatively. The values for gingival recession, sulcus depth and width of keratinized gingiva on the teeth adjacent to the recessions remained unchanged, since they were undisturbed by the procedure.