The International journal of oral & maxillofacial implants, cilt.40, sa.6, ss.670-682, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
PURPOSE: To compare the patient's quality of life (QoL) after free gingival graft (FGG) application around teeth and implants and to evaluate the factors affecting it. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 32 participants were included in the study, with FGG performed on 27 natural teeth in 16 patients (T-FGG group) and 24 implants in 16 patients (I-FGG group). QoL was assessed using the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) at the following time points: preoperatively (T0), 7 days postoperatively (T7), and 1 month (T30) postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was evaluated at T30. Graft dimensions (height, width, thickness) and the operation time were recorded. Keratinized tissue width (KTW) was measured at baseline (T0) and at T30. Graft volume (GV) and vertical collapse rate (VCR) were also calculated for analysis. RESULTS: The GOHAI-total (GOHAI-T) scores were found to be higher at T7 and T30 in the I-FGG group than in the T-FGG group. Behavioral impact (GOHAI-BI) and functional limitation (GOHAI-FL) subscores were found to be significantly higher in the I-FGG than T-FGG group at 6 days postoperatively (T6) and T7. According to multiple linear regression analysis, the GOHAI score of female patients was 8.749 points higher than male patients at T7. Patients in the I-FGG group had a GOHAI score 5.488 points higher than that of the T-FGG group at T30 (P < .05). The VCR for the T-FGG and I-FGG groups was found to be 23.57% and 28.92%, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two (P > .05). VCR was positively correlated with GOHAI-BI for the T-FGG group and negatively correlated with GOHAI-FL for the I-FGG group at T30 (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The negative effect of implant experience and female sex on QoL after FGG seems to be a stronger predictor than other clinical and intraoperative variables after the first month; however, the relationship with VCR and potential confounding factors still requires clarification.