Treatment of Recession Defects with Mucosal Access and Use of Soft Tissue Allograft: A Case Report of a Simplified Protocol

INTRODUCTION: Esthetic and functional root coverage procedures using a variety of techniques and materials allow for predictable outcomes in Miller Class I and II defects, but may be accompanied by high levels of postoperative discomfort and lengthy intrasurgical time. Current techniques may also require a steep practitioner learning curve, cumbersome intrasurgical steps, and their use in challenging clinical situations, e.g. multiple adjacent recession defects, limited vestibular depth, and anatomical limitations can prove difficult. This report introduces the side access mucosal releasing incision (SAMRI) technique as an innovative and simplified method to perform mucosal-access root coverage procedures. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old female presents with 3 to 4 mm of gingival recession at #9-11 and opts for treatment with a vestibular approach and acellular dermal matrix graft to avoid a secondary surgical site. CONCLUSION: SAMRI procedure allows for optimal root coverage and esthetic results while limiting intrasurgical time and postoperative patient morbidity.