Course Description
Get the foundation right or pay for it later. In this first session, attendees will review the key principles of surgical anatomy and wound healing, then translate those concepts into practical approaches for increasing tissue thickness and the width of keratinized mucosa around teeth and implants, respectively. Emphasis will be placed on free soft tissue autografts and contemporary alternatives, helping clinicians understand when, where, and why these procedures matter for long-term health and maintenance.

Course Objectives

• Understand surgical anatomy and wound healing principles that influence soft tissue outcomes
• Identify indications for increasing tissue thickness and keratinized mucosa around teeth and implants
• Compare free soft tissue autografts with alternative materials and techniques for augmentation
• Identify local, patient, and/or environmental risk factors that affect mucogingival surgery