Minimally Invasive Coronally Advanced Flap Techniques for Correction of Gingival Recession Defects: A Review

For treatment of patients with isolated and/or multiple adjacent gingival recession defects, debate exists as to whether minimally invasive coronally advanced flap-based surgical techniques achieve improved root coverage compared with traditional evidence-based techniques. Correction of gingival recession defects requires mucogingival surgery utilizing tissue grafting and/or soft-tissue alternatives. Traditional mucogingival techniques for root coverage using autogenous tissue are associated with patient morbidity and discomfort. Considering the philosophical shift in daily practice from "patient-centered" to "person-centered," minimally invasive surgical procedures are warranted that provide esthetic results with reduced morbidity. This review article evaluates five minimally invasive mucogingival techniques: semilunar, tunneling, modified tunneling, vestibular incision subperiosteal tunnel access, and pinhole. These surgical procedures and their clinical application are compared and contrasted.