Efficacy of free gingival graft in the augmentation of keratinized tissue around implants: A prospective clinical study

BACKGROUND: Effectuating adequate width of keratinized tissue (WKT) can lead to a healthy and stable implant/soft tissue interface which is important for the long term success of the implant. The use of free gingival grafts (FGG) for widening the WKT around dental implants increases the amount of attached gingival tissue and prevents clinical attachment loss. AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the ability of FGG to create a healthy implant/soft tissue interface. METHODS AND MATERIAL: A total of 10 edentulous sites in 10 patients with inadequate keratinized tissue indicated for replacement of missing teeth were treated. An implant was placed in edentulous sites and the keratinized tissue was augmented using FGG at the second stage of implant surgery. WKT was recorded at baseline, 3rd month and 6th month post-operatively. Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD) and papillary index (PPI) and were recorded at 3 and 6 months post-operatively to evaluate the health of peri-implant tissues. Paired t-test was used for standard deviation and the level of significance was taken as 5% (P < 0.05). RESULTS: The WKT at 3 (3.2±1.61mm) and 6 months (3±1.56 mm) compared to the baseline was statistically significant (P = 0.034). The other parameters PI, GI, PD, PPI showed no clinical significance from 3 and 6 months (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Augmentation of FGG created a significant gain in the WKT which resulted in a healthy implant/soft tissue interface.