Patient-reported Outcomes of Donor Site Healing Using Different Palatal Protection Techniques

Patient-reported Outcomes of Donor Site Healing Using Different Palatal Protection Techniques: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

This study has been initiated to evaluate the question, "What is the best way to protect the palate after a gum graft is removed?" The overall objective is to determine if there is a difference in PROMs of donor site healing using different palatal post-operative protection techniques.

This study aims to determine if there is a difference in subject-reported outcome measures (PROMs) when different palatal post-operative protection techniques are used during healing after an autogenous soft-tissue graft is harvested from the palate for periodontal and peri-implant plastic surgery. The secondary objective is to evaluate if there is a difference in the healing of the palatal tissue via photographic and 3D linear and volumetric changes analysis after using the different protective techniques. Furthermore, the study will evaluate the time needed for fabrication and intraoral adjustment of each protective barrier and professional preference among the techniques utilized.

Inclusion Criteria:

• At least 18 years of age
• Healthy or Mild controlled systemic diseases with no functional limitations (ASA I or ASA II)
• Sites with 1 to 3 teeth or implants requiring soft-tissue grafting
• Minimum palatal thickness of 2 mm
• Willing to participate and sign an informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with systemic conditions that could impair wound healing (i.e. diabetes, immunosuppressive, chemotherapy, etc.)
• Pregnant patients
• Patients with bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulants
• Smokers
• Patients with a history of palatal graft harvesting