Flowable Resin Versus Self-Adhesive Dressing for Palatal Donor-Site Protection

This pilot randomized clinical study compared two methods for protecting the palatal donor site after harvesting a free gingival graft. Twelve adult participants were randomly assigned to receive either a hemostatic collagen sponge covered with flowable resin composite or a hemostatic collagen sponge covered with a self-adhesive oral dressing stabilized with sutures. Participants recorded pain at the palatal donor site daily for 14 days using a 0-to-10 pain scale. The study also evaluated the time required to apply each protective material and the number of days that it remained in place.

Inclusion Criteria: Age 18 years or older. Full-mouth plaque score below 20%. Bleeding on probing below 10%. Clinical need for periodontal or peri-implant soft-tissue surgery involving free gingival graft harvesting. No history of surgery at the selected palatal donor site. Exclusion Criteria: Pregnancy or breastfeeding. Active periodontal disease. Current smoking. Systemic disease or medical condition that could contraindicate surgery or interfere with wound healing. Palatal mucosal lesions. Torus palatinus affecting the selected donor site. Use of a removable prosthesis covering the palate. History of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Any condition that could interfere with the surgical procedure or postoperative assessments.