Follow-up studies of free gingival grafts

Vestibuloplasties with free gingival grafts were performed on 42 teeth in 12 patients exhibiting gingival recession. The tendency toward recurrence was studied after postoperative intervals of 1, 6 and 12 months. The extensions (vestibuloplasties), which were always wider than the transplant, recurred up to the transplantation margin. The transplant itself underwent shrinkage averaging 25 per cent. The vestibular depth, which had been increased by the operation, showed a 25 per cent reduction within 1 month, but then had a tendency to deepen again from 1 to 12 months postoperatively. The marginal free gingiva and sulcus depth were not influenced by the operation.