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Spontaneous Pigmentation of Non‐Pigmented Palatal Tissue After Periodontal Surgery
Author(s) -
Holtzclaw Dan,
Toscano Nicholas J.,
Tal Haim
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of periodontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.036
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1943-3670
pISSN - 0022-3492
DOI - 10.1902/jop.2009.090289
Subject(s) - medicine , dentistry , premolar , buccal administration , periodontal surgery , soft tissue , melanosis , hard palate , gingival and periodontal pocket , surgery , periodontitis , molar , melanoma , cancer research
Background: A 22‐year‐old African American female was referred for augmentation of keratinized gingiva around implants at the right and left maxillary second premolar sites. Presurgical evaluation revealed generalized melanosis of the buccal gingiva and a lack of keratinized tissue around implants at sites #4 and #13. No pigmentation was noted on the palatal tissues. Methods: Thick free gingival grafts were harvested bilaterally from the non‐pigmented palate and secured to the recipient sites with bioabsorbable sutures. Hemostasis was achieved at the palatal donor sites with moistened gauze, and an acrylic stent was delivered for patient comfort. Results: Both palatal donor sites healed with spontaneous pigmentation. The pigmentation intensified with time but resulted in no adverse outcome. Conclusions: Post‐surgical healing in patients with gingival pigmentation is not entirely predictable, as multiple studies have demonstrated widely inconsistent results in regards to gingival pigmentation upon healing. When performing periodontal plastic surgery in patients with pigmented oral tissues, it is important to discuss all possible outcomes, including spontaneous pigmentation.