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Clinical and Histologic Long‐Term Evaluation of a Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft Used as Treatment for a Mucogingival Defect: A Case Report
Author(s) -
Carnio João,
Camargo Paulo M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
clinical advances in periodontics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.182
H-Index - 2
eISSN - 2163-0097
pISSN - 2573-8046
DOI - 10.1902/cap.2012.110064
Subject(s) - medicine , connective tissue , keratin , gingival recession , epithelium , dentistry , epithelial tissue , surgery , pathology
Introduction: The objective of this case report is to examine the epithelial surface characteristics of a fully submerged subepithelial connective tissue graft (CTG) that was initially performed to treat a mucogingival problem seven years earlier. Surface keratinization of a fully submerged CTG may be desirable, but its predictability is still subject to debate. Case Presentation: Two adjacent lower teeth were treated for recession and minimal amount of keratinized tissue. The surgical technique included flap advancement and the CTG was completely covered with a flap that had mostly a non‐keratinized surface. At 18 months after surgery, the surface of the healed CTG showed mostly no clinical or histologic signs of epithelial keratinization; at that point, the surface epithelium of the whole grafted area was surgically excised and allowed to heal by secondary intention. The absence of keratinization persisted after the second surgical procedure. Conclusion: When fully submerged, a CTG may not induce keratinization of its overlying epithelial surface.