Use of Tuberosity Connective Tissue for Root Coverage and Ridge Augmentation: Background and Technique

Abstract

Excess tissue often exists distal to the upper second molar, creating a pocket in the maxillary tuberosity. When removed from this location, this tissue can serve as an optimal piece of connective tissue (CT), helping to both prevent periodontal disease and treat periodontal recession while also aiding in restorative dentistry. This tissue is an ideal CT for root coverage and soft-tissue ridge-augmentation grafting. This article provides an overview of CT grafting, including a discussion of tuberosity CT and its advantages versus palatal CT. The authors describe two techniques for harvesting tuberosity tissue for CT grafts, the distal gingivectomy technique and the distal wedge technique, and show examples of various uses of tuberosity tissue for CT grafts.