A Tunnel Connective Tissue Graft, One Year Later
Severe angular recession with thin tissue and deep clefts from flossing, treated with a tunnel connective tissue graft. Photographed one year after surgery, which is the timeframe that matters.
What the Patient Noticed
A deep, angled recession defect on the upper teeth, with thin tissue and clefts in the gum where floss had been cutting in. Defects like this are hard to cover because the tissue on either side is thin too.
What Was Done
A tunnel connective tissue graft. Tissue from beneath the surface of the palate, with its outer layer removed, was placed through a pouch under the gum and against the roots, and the gum was advanced over it. Gum grafting describes the technique and the recovery.
The Result, One Year On
Most before-and-after photographs are taken at a few weeks. This one is at a year, which is when a graft has fully matured and either held or not. Here the roots are covered, the tissue is thick, and the clefts are gone. The gum does not move when the lip moves, which is what long-term stability looks like.