THE USE OF PLATELET-RICH FIBRIN COMBINED WITH FREE GINGIVAL GRAFT IN THE MANAGEMENT OF INSUFFICIENT ATTACHED GINGIVA AT TEETH WITH GINGIVAL RECESSION

Aim: This study was carried to evaluate the effect of the placement of PRF membrane beneath the free gingival graft in gingival augmentation surgeries regarding the changes by time in graft horizontal dimension, vertical dimension and total surface area.
Subjects and Methods: Sixteen patients were selected. All the patients showed gingival recession with insufficient attached gingiva. The gingival augmentation surgery was decided to be performed as a primary surgery to increase the attached gingiva with no attempt to cover the recession during this study. Group 1 (test group) included eight patients where the gingival augmentation was performed using a free gingival graft in combination with a platelet rich fibrin membrane placed beneath the graft at the recipient site. Group 2 (control group) included eight patients where the gingival augmentation was performed using a free gingival graft only. The graft vertical dimension (GVD) and the graft horizontal dimension (GHD) were measured using William’s graduated periodontal probe. Plaque index, gingival bleeding index and probing depth were used to monitor the oral hygiene status and gingival health condition throughout the study. All the measures were obtained at 2 occasions; the day of the surgery and 1.5 months after the surgery.
Results: Regarding the changes in GVD, a statistically significant greater mean and median percent decrease was noted in group 2 after 1.5 month. The same was obtained with the changes in GHD and graft surface area.
Conclusion: Using platelet-rich fibrin beneath free gingival graft in gingival augmentation surgery resulted in successful increase in the attached gingiva with less dimensional changes by time in the transplanted free gingival graft compared to using free gingival graft alone.