Abstract

Objective: To compare and analyze the clinical outcomes of apically repositioned flap surgery and free gingival graft on keratinized gingival augmentation. Methods: Totally 30 partially edentulous patients treated with submerged implant surgery in mandibular molar area were recruited and divided into three groups: group 1(mean age: 41 years) and group 2 (mean age: 25 years) received free gingival graft 1 month after submerged implant surgery and second stage implant surgery3 months after submerged implant surgery; group 3(mean age: 44 years) received apically repositioned flap and second stage implant surgery 3 months after submerged implant surgery. The widths of keratinizedgingiva were measured respectively at the time before the apically repositioned flap surgery/free gingival graft and 1 month, 6 months after the surgery. The thickness of keratinized gingiva was measured during the operation. Results: The widths of peri-implant keratinized gingivaof group 1 and group 2 were (3.1±1.2) mm and (3.5±1.0) mm 1 month after the free gingival graft surgery, (3.0±1.3) mm and (3.5±1.0) mm 6 months after the free gingival graft surgery, respectively. The widths of peri-implant keratinized gingiva in group 1 and group 2 demonstrated no statistically significant differences(P>0.05). The widths of peri-implant keratinized gingiva of group 3 was (2.6±0.5) mm 1 month after the apically repositioned flap surgery, (1.9±0.3) mm 6 months after the apically repositioned flap surgery, respectively. The widths of peri-implantkeratinized gingiva(1 month and 6 months after the apically repositioned flap surgery) in group 3 showed statistically significant differences when compared with group 1 and group 2(P=0.008, P=0.000). Conclusions: The implant area treated with free gingival graft or apically repositioned flap exhibited increased width of the keratinized gingiva. The implants treated with free gingival graft exhibited more increased width of the keratinized gingiva compared with those treated with apically repositioned flap. Age showed little impact on keratinized gingival augmentation.