title: Comparative evaluation of free gingival graft and AlloDerm(®) in enhancing the width of attached gingival: A clinical study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The presence of an adequate width of keratinized tissue is important to maintain a healthy dentogingival junction. In case of inadequate width of attached gingiva, the gingival augmentation procedure has been performed classically using the patient's own masticatory mucosa and more recently, using an acellular dermal allograft as the donor material.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the clinical study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of free gingival graft (FGG) and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) allograft in the ability to increase the zone of attached gingiva.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with 30 sites showing the inadequate width of attached gingiva (≤1 mm) were enrolled for the split-mouth study. The width of keratinized gingiva and other clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and 12(th) month postoperatively.
  
  
  METHODS
  The difference in clinical parameters within the group was assessed by Wilcoxon signed rank test. However, Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyze the differences between test and control groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The width of attached gingiva increased significantly (P < 0.01) following both the treatments but comparatively lesser gain with ADM allograft (2.13 mm vs. 4.8 mm). ADM site had significantly more shrinkage (76.6%) than FGG site (49.7%). Though FGG was found to be more effective, clinicians can prefer ADM allograft because of its certain advantages over the FGG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ADM allograft has resulted in sufficient increase in width of attached gingiva although lesser than FGG. Considering the disadvantages of FGG, it can be concluded that ADM allograft can be used as an alternative to FGG in increasing width of attached gingival in certain clinical situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Jodhpur Dental College General Hospital, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
authors.forename: Chitra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: A B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Tarun Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Bapuji Dental College and Hospital, Davangere, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: Dhoom Singh
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Mehta
keywords: Acellular dermal matrix; allograft; autograft; comparison studies; gingival grafts; soft tissue grafts