DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2021.v09i03.006

Pages: 98-102

Free gingival graft (FGG) continues to be most common and ideal procedure for the treatment of mucogingival problems. Amniotic membrane (AM) has shown promising results in context to healing and patients comfort in various treatment modalities like local drug delivery, after vestibuloplasty, treatment of periodontal osseous defects, gingival recessions and furcation defects but its efficacy in covering palatal wound has not yet been tested so the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of AM assisted healing as against natural healing of palatal wound after free gingival graft retrieval at different time intervals. In this randomized controlled trial 10 patients requiring treatment with FGG were selected. Palatal donor sites were randomly assigned (n=5 in each group) to experience either AM assisted healing (group A) or natural healing (group B). Healing at donor site was evaluated using Marini Early Wound Healing Score (EHS) and pain score by Wong and Baker Faces Scale (WBFS). Data were assessed and recorded at one, two and three weeks post-operatively. This prospective study showed statistically significant differences between test and control groups in terms of post-operative re-epithelization, inflammation, haemostasis and pain scores. Amniotic Membrane provides excellent predictability and reduction in inflammatory and pain scores resulting in better wound healing when used as periodontal dressing material as compared to natural healing in palatal free gingival graft wounds.