STANDING THE TEST OF TIME : FREE GINGIVAL AUTOGRAFTS A VIABLE OPTION FOR GINGIVAL AUGMENTATION

A Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Traditionally, free gingival grafts(FGG) have been judiciously employed in the augmentation of the gingival complex, First described by Bjom (1963), free gingival grafts have been widely used in the treatment of a variety of mucogingival problems This technique has proved to increase the width of attached gingiva cosiderably. Furthermore, the results are predictable and also have been reported to be stable. Free gingival grafting is a surgical modality with reportedly few clinical complications, excessive hemorrhage, necrosis of the graft, and esthetic alterations due to colour, mis-match are some of them. Despite of the fact of a number of other effective surgical root coverage techniques being developed & routinely used in clinical practice, the free gingival graft still continues to be a viable and effective modality of mucogingival surgery. FGG is the only best treatment option for gingival recession when an increase in the apicocoronal dimension is desired. A proper case selection and execution of the surgical steps are crucial in maximizing the predictability of the free gingival graft in correcting mucogingival problems. Here we have two cases of gingival augmentation using free gingival autografts.