Microsurgical procedures in plastic periodontal surgery improve precision and lead to considerably fewer scars which would negatively effect aesthetics. In a minimally invasive procedure the number of incisions is reduced to a minimum, thus maintaining maximum blood supply in the area of surgery to ensure predictable and rapid wound healing. In plastic periodontal surgery, the modified tunnel technique plays an important role as it combines microsurgical and minimally invasive procedures.

The individual surgical steps of this technique are explained and the required instruments presented. The modified tunnel technique should be employed in plastic periodontal surgery for multiple recession defects of less than 4 mm in size. In case of recession defects greater than 4 mm, better results can be achieved by employing microsurgical flap techniques.