A new technique for peri-implant recession treatment: Partially epithelialized connective tissue grafts. Description of the technique and preliminary results of a case series.

Background: Data on implant recession coverage (RC) are very scarce.

Purpose: To present a new surgical approach and preliminary results for the treatment of peri-implant soft tissue recession via partially epithelialized connective tissue grafts (PECTGs).

Materials And Methods: We harvested PECTGs from the palate using a double-blade scalpel. All donor sites were sutured and covered with a stent. Dissection lines were placed minimally coronal to the mucogingival border. The recipient areas were prepared epiperiostally. All PECTGs were sutured with the keratinized mucosa (KM) portion toward the local KM tissue and were subsequently widely covered by the local mucosal tissue layer.

Results: Fifteen patients with 22 implants were available for follow-up. The recession depth at baseline was 2.4 ± 1.1 mm (median: 2.5). After a mean observational period of 5 years, we found a mean recession value of 0.4 ± 0.5 mm (median: 0). We found a mean increase in the peri-implant KM width of 2.2 ± 1.1 mm (median: 1.5). In all cases, progression of the recession had stopped. None of the grafts was lost. The mean RC was 2 ± 0.9 mm (median: 1.5 mm) [88 ± 20% (median: 100)]. Complete RC was found in 64% of the implants. The results have remained stable for up to 13 years.

Conclusion: Soft tissue recession around dental implants may successfully be treated using the PECTG technique.