DeTrey, E, Bernimoulin, J. Influence of free gingival grafts on the health of the marginal gingiva. J. Clin. Perio. 7:381, 1980

AIM

The purpose of this present study was to examine the influence of the widening of the inadequate attached gingiva by free gingival graft on the health of the gingiva margin.

Materials and Method

12 subjects 20-43 years old with a width of attached gingiva less than 1.0 mm on at least one homologous contralateral pair of teeth in the cuspid and bicuspid region of the mandible. A base line examination. The oral hygiene status and the gingival inflammation were measured 3 times on 3 different days within 1.5 weeks. A free gingival graft was performed. Histocryl Blau used to immobilize the graft. Contralateral side was the control. Patient were placed on CHX 0.2% for 1 week. No OHI. After 6 weeks Examination repeated. OHI given until PlI = 0, 6 weeks later repeat examination. One patient unable to have last exam due to illness.

Results

Measured PlI, Sulcular fluid Flow, Sulcus Bleeding Index, Probing.

• Grafts healing was uneventful for all patients.
• At baseline there was no significant difference between test and control, except the mean attached gingiva was 0.28 greater on the control.
• The width of the keratinized gingiva of the control side diminished significantly from 1.82 to 1.43 mm during the entire experimental period.
• The gingival exudate measurements and sulcus bleeding index values (>.50) showed no significant changes between the BL examination and the examination I and II -The appearance of the size of the graft did not change between examination I and II.
• Slight improvement of oral hygiene occurred between the Bl and exam II.
• During the total experimental period, neither the increased width of keratinized attached gingiva through free gingival grafts nor the carefully given oral hygiene instructions brought about any significant changes in gingival exudate, sulcus bleeding and sulcus probing depth.
• Does a graft solve inflammatory problems???
• Reduction of control attached gingival unexplained??
• When comparing the test and control sides at examination II, except for a difference in the width of attached and keratinized gingiva, no differences were apparent. This suggest that the width of the attached gingiva does not influence the amount of plaque or gingival inflammation.
• If recession continues to develop or progress, then a graft may be indicated to stabilize the level and amount of attached gingiva.

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