title: An alternative technique to the harvesting of a connective tissue graft from a thin palate: enhanced wound healing.
abstract: This article describes an alternative surgical approach to the harvesting of subepithelial connective tissue grafts from thin palates. A partial-thickness flap is raised, and a graft composed of epithelium and connective tissue is removed from the palate. The superficial layer (epithelium and a thin zone of connective tissue) is then dissected from the graft and replaced at the donor site to facilitate faster healing. The subjacent layer of connective tissue is placed as needed to obtain root coverage. The clinical application of this technique is described in two patients with multiple gingival recessions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Integrated Clinic, Dental School, UNESP-São Paulo State University, Araçatuba, Brazil. afbosco@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alvaro Francisco
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Bosco
authors.forename: Joseane Maria Dias
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bosco
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D010159:Palate / Q000601:surgery*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology