The connective tissue and partial thickness double pedicle graft: a predictable method of obtaining root coverage.

Obtaining predictable root coverage has been a goal of periodontal therapy for sometime. The purpose of this study is to present a technique for obtaining root coverage. This study reports the results of 20 patients (30 defects) treated with a connective tissue and partial thickness double pedicle graft. Root coverage of 100% was obtained in 24 of 30 defects, or 80% of the time. In all the treated defects the root coverage obtained was to within 0.5 mm of the cemento-enamel junction. The mean percent root coverage was 97.4%. The mean amount of exposed root surface initially was 3.6 mm. At the final postoperative appointment the mean exposed root surface was 0.1 mm. This change represents a net root coverage of 3.5 mm or 97.2%. The number of sites with bleeding on probing and plaque present decreased. The esthetics, both color match and tissue contours, were acceptable to all the patients in all cases. With this technique root coverage can be accomplished in a predictable manner.