Overview
This randomized controlled clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel palatal shield technique in reducing postoperative pain and improving wound healing after free gingival graft surgery.
A total of 28 adult participants undergoing palatal tissue harvesting are planned to be enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups.
The experimental group receives a collagen sponge covered by a protective palatal shield made of flowable composite resin, while the control group receives a collagen sponge stabilized with sutures alone.
The primary outcome is postoperative pain, assessed using a 0-10 pain scale. Secondary outcomes include wound size, early wound healing, re-epithelialization, tissue color match, and patient satisfaction.
Postoperative clinical assessments are planned through 30 days after surgery. The study aims to determine whether the palatal shield technique provides better pain control and wound healing compared with conventional collagen sponge dressing.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adult patients aged 18 years or older.
- Patients with no history of previous palatal tissue harvesting.
- Patients demonstrating good compliance with plaque control instructions following initial periodontal therapy.
- Patients requiring soft tissue augmentation using free gingival grafts (FGG) or de-epithelialized free gingival grafts for gingival recession coverage, vestibuloplasty, or increasing the width of keratinized tissue around teeth.
- Patients providing informed consent to participate in the study. Exclusion Criteria: - Patients with systemic diseases.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Patients with oral lesions involving the palate.
- Patients using dental prostheses covering the palate.
- Smokers.
- Patients taking anticoagulant medications.
- Patients with abnormalities affecting the wound healing process.
