MOUTHRİNSES AND PALATAL DONOR SİTE HEALİNG AFTER FREE GİNGİVAL GRAFT

Overview

This single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to compare the effects of hypochlorous acid, hyaluronic acid, and chlorhexidine mouthrinses on palatal donor site healing following free gingival graft surgery. Fifty-four patients requiring free gingival graft surgery were randomly assigned to one of three mouthrinse groups. Clinical wound healing, wound dimensions, epithelialization, tissue consistency, bleeding control, and postoperative pain were evaluated during a 28-day follow-up period. The findings of this study may contribute to the identification of an effective postoperative mouthrinse for improving palatal donor site healing and patient comfort.

Free gingival graft (FGG) surgery is a well-established periodontal procedure for increasing the width of keratinized tissue. Healing of the palatal donor site is often associated with postoperative pain and patient discomfort. Various mouthrinses have been proposed to improve wound healing and reduce postoperative symptoms; however, evidence comparing hypochlorous acid, hyaluronic acid, and chlorhexidine is limited. This single-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to compare the effects of hypochlorous acid, hyaluronic acid, and chlorhexidine mouthrinses on palatal donor site healing following FGG surgery. Fifty-four participants requiring FGG surgery were randomly allocated to one of three intervention groups. Clinical assessments included wound dimensions, wound healing index, epithelialization, tissue consistency, bleeding control, and postoperative pain using a visual analogue scale. Participants were followed for 28 days after surgery. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of each mouthrinse on palatal donor site healing and postoperative recovery.