Free autograft of connective tissue and epithelium as coadjuvant in orthodontic treatment. Presentation of a case

Abstract

The normal grow and development of the maxilla and the patterns of teeth eruption demand a constant accommodation of the periodontal tissues. The genetic influence may be determinant in the thickness the periodontium will have and the location of the dental germs in the alveolar process, and it also could be conditioning the size of the alveolar process and the thickness of the keratinized gingiva. Carrying out an orthodontic treatment without considering the periodontal basis could be very iatrogenic, so the combined work and the periodical control are essential. Mucogingival surgery includes surgical procedures designed to correct defects in the morphology, position and dimensions of the gingiva around the tooth. The free autograft of the connective tissue and epithelium is a versatile surgical procedure, relatively simple, that can increase the depth of the vestibule and the quantity of adhered gingiva. We present the case of a nine-years-old patient with periodontal recession and scarce keratinized gingiva, with the purpose of describing the potential usage of the free autograft of the connective tissue and the epithelium in procedures of root covering and as a coadjuvant of the orthodontic treatment.