January 2023

Objective: The present prospective randomized clinical study compared the use of Dermabond® tissue adhesive as a substitute for sutures, in free gingival graft fixation. Materials and Methods: Twenty individuals with absence of keratinized mucosa (KM) or KM height less than 1.0 mm in the buccal area of the mandibular incisors were selected to receive free gingival grafts. The patients were distributed into two groups: G1, composed by 8 patients with 10-mm grafts fixed with sutures; G2, composed by 10 patients with 10-mm grafts fixed with Dermabond®. All grafts had the same height (5mm) and thickness (1mm). Bleeding on probing, probing depth, gingival recession, keratinized mucosa height, attached keratinized mucosa height and clinical attachment level were measured at 0, 15, 30, 45, 90 and 180 days. Results: ANOVA test showed significantly smaller graft contraction and significant increase in attached keratinized mucosa (p < 0.05) in G2, compared to G1. Additionally, G2 exhibited significant clinical root coverage (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The free gingival grafts fixed with Dermabond® tissue adhesive presented a faster clinical surgery, better dimensional stability, clinical root coverage, and did not alter the clinical healing process.