The Comparison of Patient-Related Outcome Measures after Free Gingival Graft Surgery Between Teeth and Implants: A Prospective, Parallel-Designed, Clinical Study.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the patient's quality of life (QoL) after Free gingival graft (FGG) application around teeth and implants and to evaluate the factors affecting it.

Materials and methods: Thirty-two participants were included in the study, with FGG performed on 27 natural teeth in 16 participants (T-FGG group) and 24 implants in 16 participants (I-FGG group). QoL was assessed using the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) at preoperatively (T0), seven days (T7) and first month (T30) postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was evaluated at T30. Graft dimensions (height, width, thickness), and operation time were recorded. Keratinized tissue width (KTW) was measured baseline and at T30. Graft volume (GV) and vertical collapse rate (VCR) were also calculated for analysis.

Results: The GOHAI-total scores were found higher for the T7 and T30 in the I-FGG compared to the T-FGG. Behavioral impact (GOHAI-BI) and Functional limitation (GOHAI-FL) subscores were found to be significantly higher in I-FGG than T-FGG on T6 and T7. According to multiple linear regression analysis, GOHAI score of female patients were 8.749 points higher than male patients at T7. Patients in the I-FGG had a GOHAI score of 5.488 points higher than T FGG at T30 (p <0.05). The VCR for T-FGG and I-FGG groups was found 23.57% and 28.92%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant differences (p>0.05). VCR was positively correlated with BI for T-FGG and negatively correlated with FL for I-FGG, at T30 (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The negative effect of implant experience and female gender on QoL after FGG seems to be more effective than other clinical and intraoperative variables for first month and relationship with VCR and confound factors need to be clarified. Clinical trial number is NCT04813081/24.03.2021, retrospectively registered.