Patient-Related Factors Influencing Postoperative Pain After Gingival Graft Harvesting From the Palate: A Prospective Study

This prospective cohort study is designed to investigate patient-related, psychological, and clinical factors influencing postoperative pain following gingival graft harvesting from the palate. The study will be conducted at the Clínica Universitària d'Odontologia of Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC), Barcelona, Spain, in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki (October 2024 revision). The study protocol and informed consent will be reviewed and approved by the Ethical Committee of Universitat Internacional de Catalunya.

Consecutive adult patients requiring mucogingival surgery for root coverage or soft tissue augmentation around teeth or dental implants will be screened for eligibility. Inclusion criteria include systemically healthy individuals aged 18 years or older, a healthy periodontal status according to the AAP/EFP definition, and full-mouth plaque and bleeding scores ≤20%. Exclusion criteria include pregnancy or lactation, smoking ≥10 cigarettes per day, systemic or metabolic diseases affecting wound healing, use of medications interfering with healing, chronic pain disorders, psychiatric diagnoses, regular use of analgesics or psychotropic medications, allergy to ibuprofen, recent grafting procedures, and ongoing orthodontic treatment.

Prior to surgery, all patients will complete initial periodontal therapy when indicated, followed by professional prophylaxis and individualized oral hygiene instruction at least two weeks before the surgical procedure. On the day of surgery, gingival graft harvesting will be performed under local anesthesia using 4% articaine with epinephrine (1:100,000). An epithelialized gingival graft will be harvested from the palate using a standardized technique. Graft dimensions will be determined based on clinical requirements. In cases of bilaminar techniques, the graft will be de-epithelialized extra-orally, whereas the epithelium will be preserved for free gingival graft procedures. Donor-site management will include placement of collagen sponges and hemostatic sutures using non-resorbable suspensory mattress sutures.

All surgical procedures will be performed by postgraduate students enrolled in the Master's Degree in Periodontology at UIC. Operator experience will be recorded based on the year of residency. Postoperative care will be standardized for all participants and will include instructions to avoid mechanical trauma at the surgical site, prescription of ibuprofen 600 mg three times daily for five days, chlorhexidine mouth rinses for two weeks, and rescue medication with paracetamol if needed. Sutures will be removed after two weeks.

Sociodemographic data will be collected during the pre-surgical visit, including age, sex, education level, occupation, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, and body mass index. Patient-reported outcomes will be assessed using validated questionnaires evaluating anticipated pain, stress levels, dental anxiety, psychological profile, personality traits, pain catastrophizing, coping strategies, and previous grafting experience. Postoperative pain intensity and discomfort during eating will be recorded daily for two weeks using visual analog scales. Oral health-related quality of life will be assessed at baseline, one week, and two weeks postoperatively using the OHIP-5 questionnaire. Analgesic consumption during the first postoperative week will also be recorded.