Histologic evaluation of connective tissue grafts in humans

The goal of this study was to evaluate the histologic composition of connective tissue grafts removed from the area palatal of the first molar through the premolars. In spite of attempts to remove the epithelium, it remained in 24 of 30 grafts (80%). The incisal portion of the connective tissue graft was comprised of lamina propria. The mean depth of the lamina propria was 3.2 mm (65.2% of the graft). Apical to the lamina propria was the submucosa, which was primarily composed of adipose tissue. The mean depth of the submucosa was 2.0 mm (34.8% of the graft). There was no statistically significant difference in the composition of the grafts based on smoking or age. The grafts were successful in producing root coverage. There were 27 patients with Class I or II recession defects in this study; this group had a mean root coverage of 97.9%. This study demonstrated that most connective tissue grafts are not uniform in composition and quite often contain some epithelium. However, all of the grafts were clinically usable and produced a clinically successful result.