Digital workflow for a customized 3D-printed palatal stent to protect the donor site for connective tissue grafting

Connective tissue grafting remains the gold standard method for soft tissue augmentation in periodontal therapy. However, donor site morbidity is a challenge, as patient discomfort is frequently reported due to prolonged healing time with pain, inflammation, bleeding, and sometimes even infection. Current techniques aim to avoid complications by relying on collagen membranes, platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and palatal stents. This report introduces a digital workflow to fabricate 3D-printed palatal stents individualized on virtual patients using an implant planning software program. The 3D-printed palatal stent is suggested to be more comfortable and effective to achieve better patient-reported outcomes related to connective tissue grafting.