Treatment of gingival recession using guided periodontal tissue regeneration

Gingival recession is an apical displacement of the gingival margin and involves loss of connective tissue attachment and the supporting alveolar bone. Various treatment modalities have been utilized in the treatment of gingival recession in order to eliminate etiologic factors, achieve root coverage, regenerate the lost periodontal attachment, and prevent perpetuation of the disease. During the past two decades, the broad concept of guided tissue regeneration has become specific, identifying the specific treatment involved as guided bone regeneration and guided periodontal tissue regeneration. The learning objective of this article is to review the literature and principles of guided periodontal tissue regeneration in the treatment of gingival recession and to describe the surgical technique for clinical application of these principles. Several cases are utilized to illustrate the detailed clinical presentation of selective cell repopulation of gingival tissue defects.