Options to avoid the second surgical site: a review of literature

As esthetics gain importance, periodontal plastic surgical procedures involving soft tissue grafts are becoming commoner both around natural teeth as well as around implants. Periodontal soft tissue grafts are primarily used for the purpose of root coverage and in pre-prosthetic surgery to thicken a gingival site or to improve the crestal volume. Soft tissue grafts are usually harvested from the palate. Periodontal plastic surgical procedures involving soft tissue grafts harvested from the palate have two surgical sites; a recipient site and another donor site. Many patients are apprehensive about the soft tissue graft procedures, especially the creation of the second/donor surgical site in the palate. In the past decade, newer techniques and products have emerged which provide an option for the periodontist/patient to avoid the second surgical site. MucoMatrixX, Alloderm(®), Platelet rich fibrin, Puros(®) Dermis and Mucograft(®) are the various options available to the practicing periodontist to avoid the second surgical site. Use of these soft tissue allografts in an apprehensive patient would decrease patient morbidity and increase patient's acceptance towards periodontal plastic surgical procedures.