Gingival recessions are frequently of esthetic concern to patients and dental practitioners. Advances in periodontal surgical techniques allow the dentist to choose between several treatment modalities. Treatment aims, indications and limitations of different procedures for root coverage are outlined. Root defects with wide or deep-wide gingival recessions can be successfully treated with a subepithelial connective tissue graft. A description of the subepithelial connective tissue graft technique for root coverage of denuded root surfaces is presented and the rationale is discussed.