The Quantitative Changes in Palatal Donor Sites Thickness After Free Gingival Graft Harvesting

Forty individuals (19 males and 21 females; age range: 18-35 years) were enrolled in the study. Based on the remaining tissue at donor site after free gingival graft harvesting, individuals were divided into two groups: 1.0-1.9 millimeter (mm) remaining tissue at donor site after harvesting (n = 20), 2-2.9 mm remaining tissue at donor site after harvesting. Tissue filling in defect area from three points (mesial, central and distal) was measured at various time-points (baseline, post-operative 1, 3, 6 months).

Inclusion criteria

• All individuals received oral hygiene instructions and full-mouth scaling was performed. -They were instructed to perform a non-traumatic brushing technique (Roll) using an ultra-soft toothbrush
• Individuals were re-evaluated at 8 weeks after initial therapy, and only full mounth plaque score and full mounth bleeding score <15% were enrolled to the surgical procedure
• mucogingival defects which for soft tissue graft application were indicated
• For Less than 2 mm group, between 2.5 and 3.4 mm palatal thickness at each measurement points before graft harvesting
• For 2 mm or more group, between 3.5 and 4.4 mm palatal thickness at each measurement points before graft harvesting.

Exclusion criteria

• periapical or palatal pathologies,
• absence teeth from canine to first molar,
• excessive forces including mechanical forces from orthodontics and occlusion,
• systemic diseases that would contraindicate for periodontal surgery or interfere with tissue healing, chronic high-dose steroid therapy, radiation or immunosuppressive therapy, pregnancy, lactation, smoking, or allergy or sensitivity to any drug
• Study participants had no history of drug therapy known to interfere with healing and to cause gingival enlargement
• Individuals who had complication such as bleeding, necrosis and delay healing during or after surgery were excluded from the study.