Retained free gingival graft rugae: a 9-year case report

In the oral cavity, masticatory mucosa covers the hard palate and gingiva. The epithelium of masticatory mucosa is relatively thick compared to other oral tissues. This results in firmness and immobility necessary to withstand the forces of mastication. In the anterior aspect of the hard palate, long papillae within the lamina propria and thick dense collagenous tissue are found under the transverse ridges or rugae. Though palatal rugae are generally avoided during soft tissue grafting, there are few literature references detailing the consequences of transplanting tissue from the anterior palate which contains rugae. The following case report describes retained palatal rugae in a free gingival graft, which had been transplanted to an edentulous ridge 9 years earlier.