Long Term Effects of Free Gingival Graft Surgery on Oral Health Related Quality of Life

Abstract

Objective: Gingival recession, defined as exposure of the root surface by displacement of the gingival margin apical to the cemento-enamel junction, can cause root caries, sensitivity, erosion, abrasion and aesthetic concerns. To overcome these problems, various periodontal plastic surgeries, including free gingival grafts, can be applied. Oral health-related quality of life provides information about how the wellness of a person is affected by psychological, social, functional factors and orofacial problems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term satisfaction of free gingival graft surgery and its effect on oral health-related quality of life.Methods: This study was conducted on patients who applied to Başkent University Faculty of Dentistry with the complaint of gingival recession, and therefore applied free gingival graft surgery. These patients were recalled and asked to complete the Turkish version of Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) questionnaire and satisfaction scale to assess quality of life and postoperative satisfaction.Results: 28 patients were included in the study. There was a positive correlation between functional limitation and physical pain (p=0,031), psychological disturbance and physical disability (p=0,031). In addition, there was a strong correlation between total OHIP-14 score and physical pain. No relationship was found between the OHIP-14 scores and the patient’s age and the time elapsed after the operation (p>0,05).Conclusion: It was concluded that the most important factor affecting the long-term quality of life of patients who underwent free gingival graft surgery was physical pain and this was not related to patient’s age or the amount of time since the surgery.

Keywords

• gingival recession
• free gingival graft surgery
• quality of life
• dişeti çekilmesi
• serbest dişeti cerrahisi
• yaşam kalitesi