Connective Tissue Graft
Also written as: CTG — Connective Tissue Graft
A soft-tissue grafting procedure in which subepithelial connective tissue—usually harvested from the palate—is used to augment keratinised mucosa volume or correct soft-tissue defects around implants.
Full Definition
In implant dentistry, connective tissue grafting is performed to increase the volume and quality of peri-implant soft tissue, improve aesthetics by masking implant-colored tissue, or create an adequate band of keratinised mucosa. The graft is typically harvested from the patient's palate as a subepithelial strip, then tunnelled or sutured beneath a recipient site flap adjacent to the implant. Editors should distinguish the connective tissue graft (CTG) from the free gingival graft (FGG), which includes epithelium and is used primarily to increase keratinised tissue width rather than volume.
Usage
Usage note: Define CTG on first use; distinguish from FGG (free gingival graft) in any document discussing soft-tissue augmentation around implants.
In Context
- "A connective tissue graft was placed at the time of second-stage surgery to enhance soft-tissue volume on the buccal aspect of the implant." — Surgical technique article
- "The editor queried the abbreviation 'CTG' and confirmed it stood for connective tissue graft rather than 'collagen tissue graft,' which appeared elsewhere in the bibliography." — Abbreviation verification log