Technique to Protect the Palatal Donor Area After Taking a Free Gingival Graft: The Patchwork Technique

The objective is to describe a technique to protect the donor area after taking a free gingival graft. A partial de-epithelialization of the palatal area is performed with a lentil bur mounted in a dental turbine. A partial thickness flap is then created to harvest the superficial connective tissue layer. Subsequently, two collagen sponges are placed into the wound. The sponges are compressed and secured by two sling stitches. Once hemostasis is obtained, a uniform layer of flow composite is placed and light-cured. Finally, a sling stitch is added to secure and compress the composite layer. Postoperatively, the donor area showed satisfactory healing after 14 days, with partial healing after the first revision and complete epithelialization during the second revision, with no reported pain or discomfort. Thus, the patchwork technique may be a more straightforward, predictable, and cost-effective alternative that protects the donor area, improves healing, and reduces pain.