The free gingival graft (FGG) (Fig. 1) is an age-old periodontal procedure first described by Sullivan & Atkins in 1968. (9) It has long been the gold standard for increasing attached gingiva around the natural dentition. Connective tissue grafting (CTG) (Fig. 2) provides many of the same benefits along with root coverage, without the accompanying discomfort from the donor site, making the FGG less desirable. However, the FGG procedure has its advantages over CTG for both the natural dentition and, more recently, dental implants.
ALSO BY DR. ALBERT YOO |'My implant is too shallow and now I'm getting food stuck between my teeth'
Loss of attached gingiva
Gingival recession is the result of loss of alveolar bone and tissue, specifically AG. A high number of recession cases result in less than the minimum required amount of AG. (Fig. 4) Similarly, following tooth extraction or long-standing edentulism (without bone preservation), loss of alveolar dimension is accompanied with diminishing AG. (Fig. 5)Note: specific cases may also be attributed to gingival biotype and genetic predisposition.
Surgical reconstruction of a deficient ridge/site begins with bone augmentation (i.e., lateral ridge graft, sinus augmentation, etc.), closely followed by soft-tissue augmentation (i.e., onlay graft, pedicle graft, etc.) When either cannot produce adequate ridge form for esthetics, prosthetic solutions are used to compensate for this deficiency. Soft-tissue augmentation, particularly those procedures to increase AG, is often overlooked.
Fig. 6: Implants placed in lateral window sinus graft with no augmentation of attached tissue.
Fig. 7: Failing implants for mandibular overdenture were placed in atrophic mandible with inadequate attached tissue.
Comparison
There is an abundance of literature showing increased gingival inflammation around natural dentition (exacerbated when a fixed restoration is present) when there is less than 2 mm AG. (Figs. 8, 9: post grafting) There is an abundance of literature showing increased incidence of peri-implant mucositis when there is inadequate attached tissue — a weaker connective tissue adhesion and lack of Sharpey’s fibers make the peri-implant tissue even more susceptible to bacterial challenge. (1-6, 8, 10) And as periodontitis is always preceded by gingivitis, peri-implantitis will be preceded by peri-implant mucositis. If we can decrease the incidence of peri-implant mucositis by providing a better and more resilient tissue phenotype, we can lower the incidence of peri-implantitis.
The FGG procedure is indicated in cases of implant therapy where this is less than 2 mm of attached tissue present. Sometimes, a FGG is preferred over CTG because: (1) the FGG results in greater gain of attached tissue, (2) the FGG alleviates frenum/muscular pull whereas the connective tissue may increase muscular tension after the flap is coronally advanced, and (3) creeping attachment is often a positive byproduct of the FGG procedure.
Refer to Case Nos. 1 & 2.
Case No. 1
Case No. 2
References
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7. Lang, N.P. & Loe, H. The relationship between the width of keratinized gingiva and gingival health. Journal of Periodontology 43;623-627.
8. Schrott AR, Jimenez M, Hwang JW, Fiorellini J, Weber HP. Five-year evaluation of the influence of keratinized mucosa on peri-implant soft-tissue health and stability around implants supporting full-arch mandibular fixed prostheses. Clin Oral Implants Res. Oct. 2009;20(10):1170- 1177.
9. Sullivan H., Atkins J. Free Autogenous Grafts. I. Principals of successful grafting. Periodontics 1968; 6(1) 5-13.
10. Warrer K, Buser D, Lang NP, Karring T. Plaque-induced peri-implantitis in the presence or absence of keratinized mucosa. An experimental study in monkeys. Clin Oral Implants Res. Sept. 1995;6(3):131-138.
