Overview
This is an observational study. The participants in this study will be patients at the Graduate Periodontics Clinic at The Ohio State University who are planning to get a gingival graft to treat their gum recession. Gingival grafts are a common way to treat this recession. The grafting surgery is not part of the study.
The main purpose of this study is to better understand the normal healing of a gum graft. In order to do that, the investigators will take different kinds of measurements.
- It is common for the tissue around the graft to have some swelling after the surgery. The investigators will measure the amount of swelling at different times as the graft heals. This will be done with a digital scanner which is passed over the area.
- A device which measures blood flow will be used to see how new blood vessels are forming. This is also a device which is only passed over the area, so it is not invasive.
- Saliva samples will be taken from around the teeth using sterile paper strips. This fluid will be analyzed for substances related to wound healing.
- Participants will fill out questionnaires about their experience with the graft healing.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Clinical (oral) Ohio State University College of Dentistry patient, treatment planned for SCTG procedure
- Miller Recession Class I, II, or III
- Teeth; Maxillary or mandibular incisors, canines, pre-molars
- Gingival Index ≤ 1
- Plaque Index ≤ 1
- Able and willing to provide informed consent
- Able and willing to complete questionnaire
Exclusion Criteria:
- Carious lesions on the tooth selected for surgical root coverage
- Taking any medications affecting the gingiva and/or oral mucosa: phenytoin, calcium channel blockers , cyclosporin A, immunostimulants/ immunomodulators
- Quantitative and/or qualitative defects on host inflammatory cells
- Organ transplant(s)
- Type I or II diabetes
- Currently pregnant or lactating
- Usage of smokeless tobacco
- Physical/mental handicap which can interfere with adequate oral hygiene performance
