CLINICAL EVALUATION OF FLOWABLE RESIN COMPOSITE AS A NOVEL PALATAL DRESSING VERSUS PERIODONTAL PACK TO REDUCE MORBIDITY FOLLOWING FREE GINGIVAL GRAFT HARVESTING: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract

Background: Free gingival grafting remains a standard technique for managing mucogingival defects, yet postoperative complications such as pain and delayed healing at the donor site are common challenges. Patient satisfaction is an increasingly important measure in periodontal procedures, reflecting the impact of treatment beyond clinical outcomes. Understanding how wound characteristics relate to postoperative experiences can guide improved management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction following the use of flowable resin composite versus Coe-Pak as palatal wound dressings and to explore correlations between wound size, postoperative pain, analgesic use, and patient satisfaction after free gingival graft harvesting. Materials and Methods: A randomized, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted with 34 patients undergoing free gingival graft harvesting. Participants received either Coe-Pak (Group I) or flowable resin composite (Group II) as palatal dressings. Patient satisfaction was assessed using standardized questionnaires. Statistical analysis included Independent T-tests for satisfaction comparisons and Spearman’s correlation to examine relationships among wound size, pain, analgesic use, and satisfaction. Ethical approval and informed consent were secured. Results: No statistically significant difference in patient satisfaction was found between the two dressing groups. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate negative relationship between wound size and patient satisfaction in the resin composite group, indicating that larger wounds were associated with lower satisfaction. Additionally, higher pain scores corresponded to decreased satisfaction in both groups, with a stronger correlation observed in the resin composite group. Analgesic use showed a weak to moderate negative association with satisfaction, though not statistically significant. Conclusions: Patient satisfaction following palatal wound dressing is influenced by wound size and perceived pain levels, highlighting the importance of effective wound management strategies. These findings underscore the value of incorporating patient-centered measures in periodontal research and support further investigation into optimizing dressings to enhance the overall patient experience.