When a free soft tissue graft is placed over a denuded root surface, what type of attachment typically forms between the graft and the tooth?

Histologic studies consistently demonstrate that when a free soft tissue graft (e.g., free gingival graft, connective tissue graft) is placed over a denuded root surface, healing primarily results in the formation of a long junctional epithelium at the graft-root interface. This is a protective epithelial barrier rather than true periodontal regeneration. Only minimal new cementum formation may occur at the apical portion of the treated area in some cases. True new connective tissue attachment with cementum requires guided tissue regeneration (GTR) techniques.