Pain Perception in Protection of the Palatal Donor Area After Harvesting a Free Gingival Graft Using Flowable Resin Versus a Self-adhesive Dressing

The postoperative pain generated by the harvest of a free gingival graft for the correction of periodontal or peri-implant defects, it's greater when it is not adequately protected and until the reepithelialization of the area is complete. For this reason, it was decided to use two materials to compare the effectiveness in reducing postoperative pain in grafts larger than 15 mm. A control group will be treated with a hemostatic collagen sponge and photocured fluid resin, adhered to the palatal surfaces of the neighboring teeth using an adhesive protocol and X-shaped sutures. Another experimental group will be treated with a hemostatic sponge and placement of a self-adhesive dressing stabilized by X-shaped sutures to ensure its permanence in the mouth. The participants will fill out a daily visual analog scale form for 14 days until the removal of the materials. Finally, the results will be tabulated and compared to provide a conclusion of our study.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients over 18 years of age
• Patients with plaque control less than 20%
• Patients with bleeding on probing less than 10%
• Patients in need of periodontal or peri-implant surgery in the upper or lower jaw
• Not having previous surgeries in the donor area

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• Patients with lesions in the palate
• Patients who use prostheses that cover the palate
• Patients with active periodontal disease
• Patients who smoke
• Patients with systemic diseases
• Torus palatinus
• Patients with a history of chemotherapy and radiotherapy