Epithelial Inclusions Following a Bilaminar Root Coverage Procedure with a Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft: A Histologic and Clinical Study

The aim of this study was to histologically examine any epithelial cell inclusions in submerged subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) after clinical healing was achieved. A total of 16 patients with Miller Class I or II gingival recessions were consecutively treated with a bilaminar procedure. At 2 months after surgery, a gingival tissue specimen was harvested from all SCTG-treated sites and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The histologic evaluation revealed connective tissue in active reorganization without epithelial inclusions in 14 of the 16 tissue specimens. In the remaining 2 specimens, epithelial islands were observed deep in the connective tissue. In one case they developed in a solid cystic space, while in the second case they were strictly integrated in the lamina propria. Complete recession coverage was obtained in 14 of the 16 treated defects, with a mean root coverage of 95.1% +/- 14.2% at 12 months.