Gingival recession is a significant problem which can lead to both esthetic and functional compromise. Surgical treatment for correcting gingival recession often involves harvesting autogenous tissue from the patient's palate. While this is the gold standard, it can be associated with pain, morbidity and an unpleasant patient experience. There are also scenarios where palatal tissue harvest is either not preferred, feasible, or even desirable for numerous patients. Fortunately, there are alternative materials that can be used to achieve successful and predictable root coverage outcomes and provide for a favorable patient experience. This evidence-based presentation will focus on the use of collagen matrices as an alternative to autogenous palatal tissue for use in periodontal plastics and root coverage procedures. Emphasis will be placed on the physical and handling properties of collagen matrices, selection of the appropriate surgical modality, and proper case selection for optimal root coverage outcomes.
