NavigationAboutExpertiseTechnologyResearchEducation Consulting Insights CasesClinical Cases DestinationsInternational PatientsThe Invisible Line Language Português
Second OpinionBook Consultation
Home·Expertise·Gingival Recession
Periodontal Surgery

Gingival
Recession
Treatment

Surgical root coverage for recession that is progressing, aesthetically significant, or associated with sensitivity — with microsurgical precision and tissue outcomes that hold over time.

Book a ConsultationMucogingival surgery
At a Glance
TechniqueCTG / Tunnel
AnaesthesiaLocal
Recovery1–2 weeks
Result3–6 months
Classification

Not all recession
is the same

The type and extent of recession determines both the surgical approach and the expected coverage outcome. Accurate classification at the planning stage is the foundation of a realistic treatment plan.

RT1
Most favourable · Full coverage expected
Recession without loss of interproximal bone or tissue

The interproximal tissue height is intact. Complete root coverage is the expected outcome with correct surgical technique. The tunnel technique with connective tissue graft is the procedure of choice for multiple adjacent RT1 recessions.

RT2
Partial coverage expected
Recession with moderate interproximal tissue loss

Interproximal tissue is reduced but still present. Partial root coverage is the realistic expectation, with the interproximal tissue level setting the biological ceiling for coverage. Treatment planning must communicate this limitation clearly before surgery.

RT3
Most complex · Root coverage limited
Recession with severe interproximal bone and tissue loss

Significant interproximal bone loss limits the achievable coverage outcome. Surgery may still provide meaningful tissue augmentation — reducing sensitivity, improving aesthetics, and preventing further progression — but complete coverage is not a realistic goal.

When to Treat

Recession does not
stabilise on its own

Gingival recession is progressive in the absence of intervention. The rate of progression varies — but the clinical pattern is consistent: tissue lost is not recovered spontaneously, and the factors that caused recession (brushing trauma, thin biotype, attachment loss) continue to act.

Surgery is indicated when recession is progressive, causing sensitivity, creating an aesthetic concern the patient considers significant, or when planned orthodontic treatment or implant placement will place additional demand on already compromised tissue.

The optimal timing for treatment is before recession reaches the mucogingival junction — while keratinised tissue remains at the recession site, the surgical options and expected outcomes are maximally favourable.

Recession treatment is also indicated as a preparatory step before implant placement in sites with thin or absent keratinised tissue — where augmentation prior to surgery establishes the biological conditions for long-term peri-implant health.

Clinical principle

The relationship between brushing technique and recession is frequently underestimated. Horizontal or high-pressure brushing on a thin biotype is one of the most common causes of progressive recession. Surgical correction without addressing brushing habits will not prevent recurrence. The consultation includes assessment of this factor and guidance on technique modification.

FAQ

Common questions

Will the recession come back after surgery?
The long-term stability of the surgical result depends on eliminating the causative factors — primarily brushing trauma and thin tissue biotype. Where brushing technique has been corrected and the graft has established adequate tissue volume, the clinical literature supports stable long-term outcomes at 5–10 years. Recession without addressing the cause is likely to recur.
How much root coverage can I expect?
For RT1 recession (no interproximal tissue loss), complete root coverage is the expected outcome with correct technique. For RT2 and RT3, the interproximal tissue level sets the biological ceiling — partial coverage is the realistic goal. This is discussed explicitly at the planning consultation with reference to your specific recession classification.
Is it possible to treat multiple teeth in one session?
Yes — multiple adjacent recession defects are typically treated in a single surgical session using the tunnel technique. Treating multiple sites simultaneously reduces total recovery time and allows the surgical plan to address the gingival contour as a unit rather than piecemeal.
Can recession be treated if I have braces or am planning orthodontic treatment?
Timing relative to orthodontics requires careful planning. In general, it is preferable to augment thin or receding tissue before orthodontic tooth movement in sites that will experience significant labial force — but this depends on the specific case and orthodontic plan. The consultation will assess your specific situation.
Related Procedures

Often combined

Soft Tissue
Mucogingival Surgery

Recession treatment is one component of mucogingival surgery — which addresses tissue architecture around both natural teeth and implants.

 Implants
Guided Implant Surgery

Pre-implant tissue augmentation at sites with thin or absent keratinised mucosa — establishing the biological conditions before implant placement.

 Retreatment
Peri-Implantitis Treatment

Mucosal recession around implants is one of the early signs of peri-implantitis — managed as part of the combined retreatment protocol.

Address recession
before it progresses.

The most predictable outcomes in recession surgery are achieved when tissue is augmented before the recession reaches the mucogingival junction.

Book a ConsultationRequest a second opinion