The use of free gingival grafts for aesthetic purposes

The free gingival graft for root coverage is still a viable and effective modality of mucogingival surgery. Despite the fact that other effective root coverage techniques have been developed, the free gingival graft may still be the best treatment option for gingival recession when an increase in the apicocoronal dimension of the keratinized gingival tissues is a desirable treatment outcome such as cases with shallow vestibular depth and cases with inadequate gingival tissue where restorations with subgingival margins are to be placed. Close attention to proper case diagnosis and to the steps involved in the surgical procedure are crucial in maximizing the predictability of the free gingival graft in correcting mucogingival problems and achieving root coverage. Soft tissue ridge augmentation can also be achieved with free gingival grafts. Residual defects presenting with an apicocoronal defect component are the best candidates for treatment with this technique.