Free gingival graft following biopsy: a case report of tissue management

Excisional biopsies require wide margins to facilitate removal of diseased tissue. Such margins often result in soft-tissue defects. These defects can cause reduced esthetics, ineffective oral hygiene performance, and postsurgical root sensitivity. This case documents the combination of two dental procedures: biopsy and the free gingival graft. A pyogenic granuloma, as diagnosed by histologic report, was removed by excisional biopsy and the resultant defect repaired by using a free gingival graft. Palatal tissue was grafted immediately to the site of the biopsy and sutured in place to cover the loss of attached tissue and papilla. At 6 months, the graft appeared to restore gingival health and maintain both esthetics and function in the surgical biopsy site. The patient was well served by correcting the resultant biopsy defect in a one-step procedure which encouraged healing and an excellent esthetic result.