EC Dental Science

Aim: To assess the donor site (palate) pain assessment and wound healing following free gingival graft (FGG) harvesting using the sutured Alvogyl and flowable composite as wound dressing for the first time.

Method: Seven patients had been enrolled at this study, indicated for soft tissue augmentation for different purposes. The palate had been covered with sutured Alvogyl and flowable composite with additional fixation by 5/0 prolene suture material, using horizontal (Figure 8) suture technique. Patients were observed for 14 days post-surgical, the assessed parameters were: the early palatal wound healing, direct visual assessment of edema, suppuration, hemorrhage and necrosis, pain using the visual analogue scale (VAS), time of Alvogyl and composite retention intraoral and patient satisfaction through direct communication with the patient.

Results: All the participating patients showed an improvement of wound healing parameters. They stated a lower pain perception, less pain killer consumption and higher willingness for retreatment if indicated. No post-surgical complications were recorded. Both materials succeeded to be retained intraorally for minimum 10 days up to 14 days to be remove by the surgeon, which aid in all tested parameters improvement.

Conclusion: The sutured Alvogyl and flowable composite can present a very good alternative for palatal wound dressing after soft tissue graft harvesting, presenting an easy and cost effective method with long term stability in comparison to other means of protection.

 Keywords: Soft Tissue Graft; Palatal Graft Harvesting; Alvogyl; Flowable Composite; Suturing

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