Clinical outcomes of free gingival graft vs. palatal pedicle graft in peri-implant soft tissue phenotype modification: A randomized controlled trial comparing patient reports.

Background: The importance of peri-implant soft tissues in maintaining tissue health and aesthetics has been recognized. A thickness of at least 2 mm is considered a protective factor against peri-implantitis. This study assessed clinical outcomes and complications at implant sites following soft tissue augmentation with either palatal free gingival graft (FGG) or palatal pedicle graft (PPG).

Methods: In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 42 patients with inadequate keratinized tissue width (KTW) were randomly assigned to two intervention groups: Group 1 received FGGs, while group 2 underwent PPGs. The KTW, vestibular depth, and surface shrinkage were recorded preoperatively and one and three months after the operation. Patient-reported outcome measurements were recorded at a two-week follow-up.

Results: Thirty-five patients completed the study (FGG group, n=17; PPG group, n=18). Group 2 demonstrated a higher increase in KTW and vestibular depth at 1 and 3 months (<0.05). The surface shrinkage differences were not statistically significant between the study groups at baseline and three-month follow-up (>0.05). The number of analgesics in each group was not significantly different two weeks after the operation; however, the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) showed significantly higher pain scores on days 3 to 8 in group 1 patients.

Conclusion: The use of PPG in soft tissue augmentation demonstrated more KTW formation and less postoperative morbidity. There was no difference between the methods used to compare surface shrinkage.