The purpose of this study was to longitudinally monitor changes in the position of the soft tissue margin at 26 buccal sites surgically deprived of all gingival tissue. A baseline examination carried out 6 months after treatment revealed that the sites to be monitored were lacking or had only a minimal zone (less than 1 mm) of regenerated attached gingiva. 12 control sites with an "adequate" width of attached gingiva (greater than 1 mm) were also examined. Assessments of oral hygiene and gingival conditions, probing pocket depths, probing attachment levels, position of the soft tissue margin, and gingival width were carried out at baseline and after 5 years. The results revealed that in the test sites, a slight increase of the width of the gingiva occurred during the observation period. 7 out of the 26 areas showed a coronal regrowth of the soft tissue margin, while 2 sites showed a further apical displacement of the soft tissue margin. In the control areas, 3 sites developed recession accompanied by a reduction in the width of the gingiva. Hence, it appears that in patients maintaining a proper plaque control, the lack of an "adequate" zone of attached gingiva does not result in an increased incidence of soft tissue recessions.