Vestibuloplasties with free gingival grafts were performed on 42 teeth in 12 patients exhibiting gingival recession. The tendency toward recurrence was studied after postoperative intervals of 1, 6 and 12 months. The extensions (vestibuloplasties), which were always wider than the transplant, recurred up to the transplantation margin. The transplant itself underwent shrinkage averaging 25 per cent. The vestibular depth, which had been increased by the operation, showed a 25 per cent reduction within 1 month, but then had a tendency to deepen again from 1 to 12 months postoperatively. The marginal free gingiva and sulcus depth were not influenced by the operation.

Free gingival grafts were performed on recession areas around 42 teeth in 12 patients, with postoperative evaluation of recurrent recession after 1, 6, 12, 24 and 48 months. No changes in degree of recession were observed during the 4-year period. The vestibuloplasties, which were always wider than the transplants, exhibited recurrence up to the transplant margin 6 months after surgery, while the transplants themselves exhibited an average shrinkage of 25%. In addition, 25% of the increase in vestibular depth achieved by the surgery was lost 1 month postoperatively, but there was a tendency toward increasing vestibulum depth during the ensuing 47 months. Gingival sulcus depth was not affected by the surgery.