Related Experiment Videos
Exostosis following a free gingival graft
José J Echeverria1, Mauricio Montero, Daniel Abad
1Department of Periodontics, Dental School, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. jjperio@teleline.es
Background:
There have been few cases reported of exostoses following a free gingival graft. In 1980, a free gingival graft was placed on the facial level of 33-34, developing over the years a significant enlargement. In 1999, since the patient felt progressively uncomfortable with the enlarged area, its surgical reduction was proposed.
Method:
Under local anesthesia, the hard tissue developed under the previously-grafted area, was significantly reduced. The specimen, together with a fragment of the covering soft tissue, was sent for histological analysis.
Results:
The surgical wound healed uneventfully, and the patient was satisfied with the results. The histology showed the presence of mature bone surrounded by a dense connective tissue, whereas the gingival tissue showed acanthosis and fibrosis.
Conclusion:
The development of exostoses following a free gingival graft can be considered an unpredictable, albeit infrequent side-effect of this procedure. The fact that most of these exostoses appear in the cuspid-premolar area, deserves further consideration.