CClinicalTrials.gg
CompletedNCT03567148Updated Jun 25, 2018

The Effectiveness of Different Methods for Healing a Palatal Donor Site

An interventional study of PRF and Essix retainer in Wound Heal, Graft Pain and Palate; Wound, sponsored by Gazi University. Completed. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 70 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2018-06-25.

Sponsored by Gazi University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

From the registry’s dates

  • Registered 1 year 4 months after the study started (first participant enrolled Jan 2017, registered May 2018).
Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
90
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years to 70 Years
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Postoperative complications associated with free gingival graft (FGG) procedures are prolonged bleeding from the donor site, postoperative pain and delayed wound healing which increases the patients' morbidity. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of different treatment modalities on palatal wound healing and patient's morbidity after FGG. Ninety patients requiring FGG were randomly will be assigned into six groups: group 1: Platelet rich fibrin (PRF) membrane, group 2: Essix retainer, group 3: topical ozone therapy, group 4: low-level laser therapy (LLLT), group 5: collagen fleece and group 6: untreated control group. Epithelization will be evaluated by means of bubble formation; sensitivity, edema, pain, changes in eating habits and burning sensation will be assessed by using visual analog scale (VAS) and also the presence of discomfort and bleeding will be evaluated in the postoperative first week and at 14 days, 1 and 3 months postoperatively.

Read the detailed description

Inadequate attached gingiva is one of the major mucogingival problems for many individuals. However, the width of the keratinized tissue required to prevent periodontal disease remains unclear. Recently, a consensus report highlighted that if an individual's plaque control is suboptimal, a minimum of 2 mm of keratinized tissue and 1 mm of attached gingiva is needed.

Palatal keratinized mucosa is the most favorable donor region for a free gingival graft (FGG) due to its anatomic properties such as being histologically identical to keratinized attached mucosa of alveolar ridge and its ideal tissue thickness. The FGG surgical wound heals within 2-4 weeks, and prolonged bleeding, pain, and delayed wound healing of either the donor or recipient sites, which increases the patient's risk of morbidity, are the most common postoperative complications following surgery. Although homeostatic agents, mechanical barriers, and bioactive materials have been found to be effective in preventing these complications, the most ideal treatment has not yet been determined.

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), a platelet concentrate, is a safe and cost-effectiveness procedure that does not require biochemical blood handling. PRF has been used in many fields as an autologous biomaterial with a great healing potential for regenerating soft tissue and bones without inflammatory reactions, and it may be used to promote hemostasis and wound healing due to the presence of many growth factors. Recent studies have concluded that using PRF membranes after harvesting FGG enhances wound healing, reduces a patient's discomfort, and decreases need to change eating habits; thus, it reduces patient morbidity.

An Essix® retainer (Clear Advantage Series, Ortho Technology, Florida, USA) is a thermoplastic material used for stabilization after orthodontic treatment. It has been reported that gingival wounds that heal by secondary intention should be sheltered during the period of epithelization to protect against topical irritants, trauma, acidic or highly seasoned foods, and toothbrush abrasion.

It has been suggested that hemostatic agents provide faster and continuous hemostasis and make a positive contribution to early soft tissue healing. Application of hemostatic agents to the palatal donor sites has been found to be highly beneficial for achieving hemostasis in comparison to pressure only. Collagen fleece is a hemostatic agent that is made from the natural collagen of porcine dermis. The structure of the collagen promotes the formation and stabilization of blood clots during the initial wound healing phase. Recently, collagen-based materials have been used to improve early wound healing with an open healing design in the palatal area.

Ozone is a natural gaseous molecule made up of three oxygen atoms. The use of ozone has been proposed in dentistry because of its a strong oxidation effect and its antimicrobial potential, biocompatibility, and healing properties. In a previous study, the application of ozonated oil was reported to improve epithelial healing and gingival health following topical application. Taşdemir et al. concluded that ozone therapy could enhance wound healing, and the patients receiving this therapy experienced less pain after FGG operations than patients that had not received it.

Lower-level laser therapy (LLLT) is known as 'soft laser therapy' or 'bio-stimulation'. In dentistry, LLLT is usually used to accelerate wound healing, enhance remodeling and repair of bone, and reduce pain. Application of LLLT has been shown to improve wound healing after FGG and gingivectomy.

In light of this aforementioned information, it has been hypothesized that applications of PRF, an Essix retainer, collagen fleece, ozone therapy, and LLLT can result in improved wound healing after harvesting FGG in comparison to spontaneous healing. Thus, the present study aimed to assess and compare the effectiveness of these methods on palatal wound healing and patient morbidity.

02

Conditions studied

  • Wound Heal
  • Graft Pain
  • Palate; Wound

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Keywords

  • Graft
  • Pain
  • Palate
  • Wound healing
03

In context

Wounds and Injuries

5,056 studies on the registry are indexed under Wounds and Injuries; 859 are open to participants now.

This study's enrollment of 90 is above the median of 52 across 3,240 interventional studies indexed under Wounds and Injuries.

Browse Wounds and Injuries studies →

Lead sponsor

Gazi University is the lead sponsor of 532 studies on the registry; 99 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 70 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

  • age >18,
  • systemically healthy,
  • non-smoker,
  • full-mouth plaque and bleeding scores \<20%,
  • isolated gingival recession defects on the mandibular and maxillary anterior teeth with insufficient keratinized gingiva,

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • history of mucogingival surgery on the palatal area
  • pregnancy
  • systemic antibiotics taken for at least six months before the study
  • having systemic diseases that could compromise wound healing
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Single (Investigator)
Enrollment
90 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    PRF group

    Four layers of PRF membranes were placed in the palatal wound and sutured with 5/0 resorbable sutures

    Procedure: PRF

  • Active comparator
    Essix retainer group

    An impression of palatal region was taken and the Essix retainer was prepared before the patients underwent surgery.

    Procedure: Essix retainer

  • Active comparator
    Ozone therapy group

    Ozone was applied to the donor sites at five different points (four corner-points and a center point) at a fixed concentration of 2100 p.p.m. through a connected hand-piece, using a sterile, specially-formed perio-tip with 80% oxygen for 30 seconds. The applications were performed immediately after surgery and on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days following the operation.

    Procedure: Ozone therapy

  • Active comparator
    LLLT group

    Irradiation was performed at the same points described above using a diode laser (λ=970±15 nm, 14-W source power) (SIROLaser Xtend; Sirona Dental Systems GmbH, Bensheim, Germany) that continuously emitted a wavelength with 320µm fiberoptic; the power was 2W and the tissue dose was 35 J/cm2. Total irradiation time was 30 seconds. The applications were performed immediately after surgery, and on the 1st, 3rd and 7th, days following the operation.

    Procedure: LLLT

  • Active comparator
    Collagen fleece group

    Collagen fleece (BEGO Collagen Fleece, Bremen, Germany) was sutured with 5/0 resorbable sutures (Pegesorb, Istanbul, Turkey) on the open wound with the aid of vertical mattress sutures.

    Procedure: Collagen fleece

  • No intervention
    Control group

    Palatal wounds were left for spontaneous healing

Interventions

  • ProcedurePRF

    Applying to the palatal wounds

    Also known as: medical device

  • ProcedureEssix retainer

    Applying to the palatal wounds

    Also known as: medical device

  • ProcedureOzone therapy

    Applying to the palatal wounds

    Also known as: medical device

  • ProcedureLLLT

    Applying to the palatal wounds

    Also known as: medical device

  • ProcedureCollagen fleece

    Applying to the palatal wounds

    Also known as: medical device

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. VAS questionnaire regarding to postoperative pain

    The VAS was divided into 10 segments, and the patients were asked to rank their pain level using a scoring system ranging from 0 to 10

    Time frame: 30th days postoperatively

Secondary outcomes

  1. VAS questionnaire regarding to postoperative sensitivity

    The VAS was divided into 10 segments, and the patients were asked to rank their sensitivity level using a scoring system ranging from 0 to 10

    Time frame: 30th days postoperatively

  2. hydrogen peroxide test

    Epithelization was evaluated using the same time-points by means of bubble formation after dripping hydrogen peroxide (3%) onto the operation site

    Time frame: 30th days postoperatively

  3. VAS questionnaire regarding to changes in eating habits

    The VAS was divided into 10 segments, and the patients were asked to rank their eating habits level using a scoring system ranging from 0 to 10

    Time frame: 30th days postoperatively

  4. VAS questionnaire regarding to burning sensation

    The VAS was divided into 10 segments, and the patients were asked to rank their sense of burning level using a scoring system ranging from 0 to 10

    Time frame: 30th days postoperatively

07

Study locations

No study locations are listed for this record.

08

References and documents

Publications

  • Gumus P, Buduneli E. Graft stabilization with cyanoacrylate decreases shrinkage of free gingival grafts. Aust Dent J. 2014 Mar;59(1):57-64. doi: 10.1111/adj.12149. Epub 2014 Feb 4. PubMed 24494804 ↗
  • Harrison JS, Conlan MJ, Deas DE. An alternative donor site for an epithelialized-free soft-tissue autograft. Compend Contin Educ Dent. 2011 Mar;32(2):e29-31. PubMed 23738833 ↗
  • Kim DM, Neiva R. Periodontal soft tissue non-root coverage procedures: a systematic review from the AAP Regeneration Workshop. J Periodontol. 2015 Feb;86(2 Suppl):S56-72. doi: 10.1902/jop.2015.130684. PubMed 25644300 ↗
  • Sanz M, Simion M; Working Group 3 of the European Workshop on Periodontology. Surgical techniques on periodontal plastic surgery and soft tissue regeneration: consensus report of Group 3 of the 10th European Workshop on Periodontology. J Clin Periodontol. 2014 Apr;41 Suppl 15:S92-7. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12215. PubMed 24641004 ↗
  • Brasher WJ, Rees TD, Boyce WA. Complications of free grafts of masticatory mucosa. J Periodontol. 1975 Mar;46(3):133-8. doi: 10.1902/jop.1975.46.3.133. PubMed 1079047 ↗
  • Keceli HG, Aylikci BU, Koseoglu S, Dolgun A. Evaluation of palatal donor site haemostasis and wound healing after free gingival graft surgery. J Clin Periodontol. 2015 Jun;42(6):582-9. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12404. Epub 2015 May 19. PubMed 25892528 ↗
  • Dohan DM, Choukroun J, Diss A, Dohan SL, Dohan AJ, Mouhyi J, Gogly B. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF): a second-generation platelet concentrate. Part I: technological concepts and evolution. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2006 Mar;101(3):e37-44. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2005.07.008. Epub 2006 Jan 19. PubMed 16504849 ↗
  • Borie E, Olivi DG, Orsi IA, Garlet K, Weber B, Beltran V, Fuentes R. Platelet-rich fibrin application in dentistry: a literature review. Int J Clin Exp Med. 2015 May 15;8(5):7922-9. eCollection 2015. PubMed 26221349 ↗
  • Kulkarni MR, Thomas BS, Varghese JM, Bhat GS. Platelet-rich fibrin as an adjunct to palatal wound healing after harvesting a free gingival graft: A case series. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2014 May;18(3):399-402. doi: 10.4103/0972-124X.134591. PubMed 25024559 ↗
  • Femminella B, Iaconi MC, Di Tullio M, Romano L, Sinjari B, D'Arcangelo C, De Ninis P, Paolantonio M. Clinical Comparison of Platelet-Rich Fibrin and a Gelatin Sponge in the Management of Palatal Wounds After Epithelialized Free Gingival Graft Harvest: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Periodontol. 2016 Feb;87(2):103-13. doi: 10.1902/jop.2015.150198. Epub 2015 Aug 27. PubMed 26313017 ↗
  • Rossmann JA, Rees TD. A comparative evaluation of hemostatic agents in the management of soft tissue graft donor site bleeding. J Periodontol. 1999 Nov;70(11):1369-75. doi: 10.1902/jop.1999.70.11.1369. PubMed 10588501 ↗
  • Silverstein ME, Chvapil M. Experimental and clinical experiences with collagen fleece as a hemostatic agent. J Trauma. 1981 May;21(5):388-93. doi: 10.1097/00005373-198105000-00011. PubMed 7230285 ↗
  • Thoma DS, Hilbe M, Bienz SP, Sancho-Puchades M, Hammerle CH, Jung RE. Palatal wound healing using a xenogeneic collagen matrix - histological outcomes of a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2016 Dec;43(12):1124-1131. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.12624. Epub 2016 Oct 25. PubMed 27616435 ↗
  • Nogales CG, Ferrari PH, Kantorovich EO, Lage-Marques JL. Ozone therapy in medicine and dentistry. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2008 May 1;9(4):75-84. PubMed 18473030 ↗
  • Patel PV, Kumar V, Kumar S, Gd V, Patel A. Therapeutic effect of topical ozonated oil on the epithelial healing of palatal wound sites: a planimetrical and cytological study. J Investig Clin Dent. 2011 Nov;2(4):248-58. doi: 10.1111/j.2041-1626.2011.00072.x. Epub 2011 Jul 7. PubMed 25426896 ↗
  • Tasdemir Z, Alkan BA, Albayrak H. Effects of Ozone Therapy on the Early Healing Period of Deepithelialized Gingival Grafts: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Periodontol. 2016 Jun;87(6):663-71. doi: 10.1902/jop.2016.150217. Epub 2016 Jan 16. PubMed 26777769 ↗
  • Aggarwal H, Singh MP, Nahar P, Mathur H, Gv S. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers - a sham controlled, split mouth follow up study. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014 Feb;8(2):218-21. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2014/7639.4064. Epub 2014 Feb 3. PubMed 24701539 ↗
  • Ustaoglu G, Ercan E, Tunali M. Low-Level Laser Therapy in Enhancing Wound Healing and Preserving Tissue Thickness at Free Gingival Graft Donor Sites: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study. Photomed Laser Surg. 2017 Apr;35(4):223-230. doi: 10.1089/pho.2016.4163. Epub 2017 Jan 12. PubMed 28092488 ↗
  • Ozcelik O, Cenk Haytac M, Kunin A, Seydaoglu G. Improved wound healing by low-level laser irradiation after gingivectomy operations: a controlled clinical pilot study. J Clin Periodontol. 2008 Mar;35(3):250-4. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2007.01194.x. PubMed 18269665 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: Undecided

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jun 25, 2018, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03567148
Lead sponsor
Gazi University
Responsible party
Sıla Çağrı İşler (Principal Investigator, Gazi University) — Principal investigator
First posted
Jun 25, 2018
Start date
Jan 2017
Primary completion
Dec 2017
Completion
Jan 2018
Last update
Jun 25, 2018

Study contacts

Deniz Cetiner, Prof. Dr.
study director · Gazi University

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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