Evaluating the long-term patient satisfaction, esthetic harmony, and creeping attachment levels in patients treated with gingival augmentation surgery: A retrospective study

• Main Author: Mustafa Ozay Uslu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Series: Journal of Nature and Science of Medicine
• Subjects: creeping attachment; free gingival graft; long-term healing; patient satisfaction
• Online Access: http://www.jnsmonline.org/article.asp?issn=2589-627X;year=2020;volume=3;issue=3;spage=159;epage=164;aulast=Uslu
• ISSN: 2589-627X; 2589-6288

Objective: Free gingival grafts (FGGs) are commonly used for increasing the keratinized tissue and root coverage in gingival recessions (GRs). The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the long-term patient satisfaction ratings, esthetic adaptation of graft, and creeping attachment (CA) levels after FGG surgery. Methods: Thirty-five surgical areas from thirty patients with Miller Class I, II, and III GRs were included in the study. GRs were treated with FGGs, and palatal donor area was covered with the same surgical pack in all patients. Gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth, plaque index (PI), vertical and horizontal GRs (VGR and HGR, respectively), keratinized gingiva width (KGW), keratinized gingiva thickness (KGT), CA, evaluating the esthetic harmony with modified Manchester Scar Scale (mMSS), and patient satisfactory ratings were collected at the 1st month, 6th month, and 5th year control. Descriptive statistical methods as well as distribution of the data were evaluated by the Shapiro–Wilk test, the Friedman test was used in comparison of three and more dependent groups, and the Wilcoxon test was used in comparison of two dependent groups. Results: The mean follow-up period was 76.91 ± 7.60 months. The last control measurements of clinical parameters such as GI, PI, BoP, VGR, HGR, and mMSS measurements were statistically significantly lower than the baseline and 1st-month measurements (P < 0.01). The 1st-month, 6th-month, and last control measurements of KGW and KGT were statistically significantly higher than the initial measurements (P < 0.01). The last control CA measurements were statistically significantly higher than the 6th-month measurements (P < 0.01). Patient satisfaction ratings were between 2 and 3 at the last control and demonstrated a high satisfaction result. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be stated that FGGs provide successful results in terms of esthetics and maintenance of the periodontal health and also patient satisfaction was at the highest level in the long term.