Diode Laser for Harvesting Gingival Graft

the laser tip was used to remove all visible epithelium in the outer side of the defined graft area. The treatment was performed from the coronal to the apical aspect in parallel paths, and care was taken to avoid any laser contact to the palatal bone and periosteum by aiming the laser beam at a 450 angle to the palatal soft-tissue. The resultant layer on the surface was totally removed with knife and moist gauze. Then, the graft was harvested from the de-epithelized area with a 15c blade.

In the control group tissue was obtained by two horizontal and two vertical incisions defining the area to be harvested. The blade was oriented perpendicular to the bone along the coronal horizontal incision and once an adequate soft tissue thickness was obtained; it was rotated in order to be parallel to the superficial surface. The thickness of the graft was maintained uniform while proceeding apically with the blade until the FGG was harvested. The palatal wound was protected with equine-derived collagen maintained by compressive sling 5-0 sutures