The subepithelial connective tissue and the free gingival graft procedure were evaluated for their effectiveness at root coverage of 24 symmetrical large and deep gingival recessions in 12 patients for up to one year after surgery. Both surgical techniques effected physiological and stable probing depths and significant increases in attached gingiva. However, only those areas of recession treated with subepithelial connective tissue grafts showed significant gains in probing attachment level, which were stable for the duration of the one year study. These gains may have been due to sugnificant and rapid "creeping attachment"