  In this paper we generalize to arbitrary dimensions a one-dimensional
equicoerciveness and $\Gamma$-convergence result for a second derivative
perturbation of Perona-Malik type functionals. Our proof relies on a new
density result in the space of special functions of bounded variation with
vanishing diffuse gradient part. This provides a direction of investigation to
derive approximation for functionals with discontinuities penalized with a
"cohesive" energy, that is, whose cost depends on the actual opening of the
discontinuity.
