The single incision technique was used as a guide for harvesting the SCTG from the palatal region. After achieving hemostasis in the palatal area, the incision site was primarily closed using 4-0 silk sutures with a cross-suture technique. The graft, held with guide sutures, was slid beneath the interdental papillae and placed into the tunnel bed. The elevated papillary complex was sutured together with the graft using 5-0 monofilament sutures (Neoplene, polypropylene, Turkey) and secured coronally and over the root surface, covering the graft, using vertical double-cross sutures. The surgical procedure, suturing technique, and sutures used on the recipient site were standardized across all groups.

In this group, the De-epFGG technique recommended by Zucchelli et al. was applied. The epithelial layer on the outer surface of the harvested graft was removed by holding a 15C scalpel (Swann-Morton LTD, Sheffield, England) parallel to the surface. The prepared CTG was then placed in the tunnel bed at the desired position using guide sutures.

Before the laser application, patients were asked to wear the necessary protective eyewear. The graft dimensions required for the recipient site were marked on the palatal donor area using a 15C scalpel.

The donor site was irradiated with a 2780 nm Er,Cr:YSGG laser (WaterLase iPlus; USA Biolase Technology Inc., Irvine, CA), and the de-epithelialization procedure was completed intraorally. The surface layer formed as a result of the laser application was removed using a moist sponge.

Microsurgical periodontal instruments were used during surgical procedures. In this study, specially developed tunnel instruments (Helmunt Zepf, Seitingen-Oberflacht, Germany) were used to mobilize the gingivo-papillary unit and prepare the supraperiosteal tunnel bed. After passing the coronal edge of the alveolar bone with the tunnel instrument placed in the soft tissue, it was advanced towards the apical mucogingival junction with small, circular movements. This procedure was repeated by entering from the sulcus of each tooth. Care was taken to ensure that the prepared flaps were in the same layer and opened towards each other. In the interdental areas, the papillary complex was carefully separated from the periosteum and mobilized in the buccal direction. Thus, mobilization of the entire buccal soft tissue complex was achieved in the coronal direction. After these procedures, it was checked whether the flap covered the recession areas without tension.

In this study, the difference between the root surface coverage rate in areas with gingival recession was evaluated by subtracting the 6th month recession depth from the pre-treatment recession depth.

The distance from the mid-buccal point of the teeth to the groove/pocket base based on the cemento-enamel junction was measured in mm with a periodontal probe.

The mid-buccal point of the teeth with gingival recession was measured with a periodontal probe, taking the cemento-enamel junction as the basis, until the coronal part of the gingival margin.

Clinically, it is determined by subtracting the distance between the free gingival margin and the mucogingival line from the distance to the groove/pocket base.

In this study, gingival thickness was determined by the transgingival probing method.

Loe ve Silness, 1963 (0-3, skor)

Silness ve Löe, 1966

Postoperative morbidity was assessed using quality of life measurements (Oral Health Impact Profile-14, OHIP-14), provoked sensitivity (PS), and the operation durations of the groups. PS was evaluated preoperatively at the recession sites to detect dentin hypersensitivity by applying a 3-second air spray provocation administered by the clinician.