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The tunnel technique for gum recession
The tunnel technique is a minimally invasive surgical approach to treat gingival recession. When applied to the right clinical indications, there are multiple advantages to this procedure.
A minimally invasive approach to treating gingival recession
In a Western European population with regular dental care, 90% of the population over 50 years old has receding gums*.
Gingival recession is a displacement of the marginal tissue apical to the cemento-enamel junction, causing root exposure. This very common multi-factorial condition can lead to an increased tooth sensitivity, root caries and an unaesthetic smile.
Dr. Laura Flückiger (CH), expert in periodontal surgery, explains a popular technique in dentistry to treat this issue: the tunnel technique.
Advantages of the tunnel technique
Dr. Laura Flückiger highlights three key advantages of this procedure:
- better blood supply
- better aesthetical result
- very suitable for very thin gingival phenotypes, especially when combined to a subepithelial connective tissue graft
Tunnel technique or flap technique?
In which clinical situation will a specialist choose a tunnel procedure over a coronally advanced flap, in order to get the best aesthetic result and avoid health complications?
Dr. Flückiger underlines the importance of gingival thickness as well as keratinized tissue width to assess the clinical situation, and explains why she combines the tunnel technique with a connective tissue graft.
Thin and sharp, yet robust and durable: our tunneling instruments gather these characteristics thanks to the unique know-how of our artisans, who hand-finish every tip. Dentists can perform delicate, minimally invasive periodontal microsurgery with extreme precision and comfort. Dr. Laura Flückiger’s favorites tunneling instruments are the TKR, the TKL and the TKI.
> Discover our entire range of tunneling instruments
Curious to see these instruments in action?
> Watch a video demonstrating a modified coronally advanced tunnel technique, by Dr. Michel Bravard (FR)
*Sources:
– Joss-Vassalli I, Grebenstein C, Topouzelis N,Sculean A, Katsaros C. Orthodontic therapy and gingival recession: asystematic review. Orthod Craniofac Res 2010; 13:127–141
– Kassab M, Cohen R. The etiology and prevalence of gingival recession. J Am Dent Assoc 2003; 134:220–5
– Löe H, Anerud A, Boysen H. The natural history of periodontal disease in man: prevalence, severity, and extent of gingival recession. J Periodontol 1992; 63:489–95
– Imber J-C, Kasaj A. Treatment of Gingival Recession: When and How? International Dental Journal 2021
