Surgical coverage of exposed root surfaces: a review of available techniques and applications

Exposed root surfaces often create esthetic problems with less-than- satisfactory restorative solutions. Gingival recession may result in thermal and tactile sensitivity that is unresponsive to treatment with desensitizing agents. Surgical procedures for the coverage of exposed root surfaces have provided successful and highly predictable results even in deep, wide areas of recession. This article reviews the available procedures and discusses the indications for periodontal plastic surgery. Clinical cases are presented that demonstrate solutions to commonly encountered clinical problems that result from gingival recession.