Use of free gingivial graft to resolve gingival recession of lower incisors

Introduction: The free gingival graft is the oldest surgical technique used to cover exposed root surfaces and obtain a sufficient size of the attachment gingiva. Its use is often on lower front teeth where there is a lack of attachment gingiva and deepening of the fundus is necessary.
Objective: The aim of this paper is to present a case of the use of a free gingival graft
Materials and methods: In a 32-year-old patient, the lower central incisor with a Miller class I recession was exposed. The recession is of traumatic etiology and an orthodontic fixed prosthesis has already been planned and placed in the upper jaw. A coronally positioned flap was made, the papillae were de-epithelialized, the root surfaces were treated with 24% EDTA and the free gingival graft was placed, which was positioned using Vicryl absorbable suture with 5 zeros.
Results:Conclusion: Free tissue graft is most often used in cases where there is recession with minimal width of the attached gingiva, which is an important factor for success in periodontal surgery. In Miller class I, the coverage of the exposed root surfaces is 100% successful, unlike Miller class III where the success is reduced to 70% because we have interdental bone resorption present.
Key words: recession, free gingival graft, coronally positioned flap, keratinized gingiva.