title: Free gingival graft following biopsy: a case report of tissue management.
abstract: Excisional biopsies require wide margins to facilitate removal of diseased tissue. Such margins often result in soft-tissue defects. These defects can cause reduced esthetics, ineffective oral hygiene performance, and postsurgical root sensitivity. This case documents the combination of two dental procedures: biopsy and the free gingival graft. A pyogenic granuloma, as diagnosed by histologic report, was removed by excisional biopsy and the resultant defect repaired by using a free gingival graft. Palatal tissue was grafted immediately to the site of the biopsy and sutured in place to cover the loss of attached tissue and papilla. At 6 months, the graft appeared to restore gingival health and maintain both esthetics and function in the surgical biopsy site. The patient was well served by correcting the resultant biopsy defect in a one-step procedure which encouraged healing and an excellent esthetic result.
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Anderegg
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Metzler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005881:Gingiva / Q000637:transplantation*; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005893:Gingivoplasty / Q000379:methods*; D017789:Granuloma, Pyogenic / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000601:surgery