← All explanationsTunnel technique

What is the tunnel technique for gum recession?

The tunnel technique is a surgical approach for selected gingival recessions. A connected space is prepared beneath existing gum tissue, often to receive a connective tissue graft. The interdental papillae are kept as continuous as possible.

For training & practice ↓

Fictional depiction of an exposed root as a possible starting condition; no surgical step, graft or treatment result is shown. — Possible starting condition · no surgical step

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Access beneath the gum

The access lies in soft tissue around the affected teeth. No tunnel is drilled through the tooth or jawbone. Several adjacent sites may be included in planning.

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Supporting the tissue

The patient’s connective tissue, for example from the palate, is often added to support thickness and possible root coverage. Variants differ in access and tissue advancement.

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Healing and limitations

Recession extent, tissue conditions and care affect the aim. Complete coverage is uncertain. Pain, bleeding, infection or further surgery are possible risks.

Read the full explanation

Access beneath the gum
The access lies in soft tissue around the affected teeth. No tunnel is drilled through the tooth or jawbone. Several adjacent sites may be included in planning.
Supporting the tissue
The patient’s connective tissue, for example from the palate, is often added to support thickness and possible root coverage. Variants differ in access and tissue advancement.
Healing and limitations
Recession extent, tissue conditions and care affect the aim. Complete coverage is uncertain. Pain, bleeding, infection or further surgery are possible risks.

Notes on the teaching images

Possible starting condition · no surgical step
No graft or tissue tunnel is depicted
No before-and-after or treatment result shown

Watch the short explanation ↓

At a glance

Surgery?

Yes.

Guaranteed coverage?

No.

Aftercare needed?

Yes, with an individual cleaning and review plan.

Knowledge in motion

Explained in 36 seconds.

Three steps. No audio.
Each scene can also be selected manually.

Silent educational film with German on-screen text and simplified teaching images. Not a patient case or a promised treatment outcome. The full English explanation is available as text.

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Often confused

Tunnel or coronally advanced flap?

A tunnel works beneath tissue kept as continuous as possible. A coronally advanced flap repositions a flap towards the tooth crown. Some tunnel variants combine both principles.

Quick answers

Is tunnel surgery incision-free?

No. It still involves surgical tissue preparation and sutures. The term describes access design, not a procedure without intervention.

Is tissue always taken from the palate?

Not in every variant. The benefits and limits of the patient’s tissue or an alternative, including any donor site, need discussion.

Is it always better than an advanced flap?

No. Choice depends on the defect and treatment aims. Comparative trials assess different techniques and patient groups.

At the practice

For the appointment

You can bring this question to your appointment:

Why does this tunnel variant suit my findings, and how much root coverage is realistic?

Discuss your individual findings and whether a referral is appropriate.

Discuss your findingsAppointment selection at Doctolib

Meet Dr. Niusha Barahmand Pour ↗

Learning layer for training & practiceUnderstand terminology and deepen knowledge

Papilla: Gum tissue between neighbouring teeth.
Connective tissue graft: Transplanted connective tissue used to support soft tissue.

Make the distinction

A tunnel works beneath tissue kept as continuous as possible. A coronally advanced flap repositions a flap towards the tooth crown. Some tunnel variants combine both principles.

Knowledge questionWhere is the tunnel prepared?

For learning, not for assessing personal symptoms. Your answer is not stored or sent.

In soft tissue beneath the existing gum
Through the tooth root
As a drilled passage in jawbone

View answer

In soft tissue beneath the existing gum

The name refers to the surgical access plane within gum tissue.

Sources and context

Editorial research: 2026-11-13. General information, not an individual diagnosis or treatment recommendation. Teaching illustrations are simplified and do not depict a patient case.