Retrospective evaluation of factors affecting the success of free gingival graft

2. ABSTRACT Free gingival graft (SDG) operation has a very low success rate in closing the root surface in Miller class III recessions. Botulinum toxin (BTX), which has many uses today, increases blood flow in the veins in the area where it is applied. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of BTX injection applied to the mental muscle on the SDG operation. For this purpose, our study was divided into 2 groups as only SDG operation (n=20) and mental muscle BTX injection immediately after SDG operation (n=20). Statistical analysis was performed on periodontal parameters (plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), keratinized gingival width (KGW), attached gingival width (AGW), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival thickness (GT), gingival tissue recession (GTR), gingival recession width (GRW), and root closure percentage (RCP (%))) measured from the lower first incisors at the beginning and at the 1st, 3rd and 6th months after the operation. As a result of the study, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups in terms of preoperative, postoperative 1, 3 and 6 months PI and GI levels (p>0.05). The 3rd month PPD level of the study group was found to be statistically significantly lower than the control group (p<0.05). The postoperative 3 and 6 months KGW and AGW of the study group were statistically significantly higher than the control group; GTR and CAL levels were found to be statistically significantly lower (p<0.05). Postoperative 6th month postoperative GT and RCP (%) of the study group were found to be statistically significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). The increases in KGW, AGW, GT and RCP (%) levels in the Botox group compared to the baseline at 6 months, and the decreases in GTR, CAL levels were found to be statistically significant compared to the control group (p<0.05). According to the results of our study, it can be stated that BTX injection applied to the mental muscle after the SDG operation applied to the lower 1st incisors with Miller class III gingival recession may have positive effects on the graft. There is a need for more comprehensive studies on this subject. Keywords: gingival recession, free gingival graft, mental muscle, botulinum toxin