Factors Influencing Postoperative Pain After Gingival Graft Harvesting

This prospective cohort study aims to evaluate patient-related, psychological, and clinical factors influencing postoperative pain following gingival graft harvesting from the palate. Consecutive adult patients requiring mucogingival surgery for root coverage or soft tissue augmentation around teeth or dental implants will be recruited at the Clínica Universitària d'Odontologia of Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain).

All participants will undergo standardized pre-surgical periodontal care and oral hygiene instruction prior to surgery. Gingival grafts will be harvested from the palate under local anesthesia using a standardized surgical technique. Postoperative management will include analgesic medication, antiseptic rinses, and standardized postoperative instructions.

Patient-reported outcomes will be collected using validated questionnaires to assess anticipated pain, postoperative pain, stress, dental anxiety, psychological profile, personality traits, pain catastrophizing, coping strategies, oral health-related quality of life, and analgesic consumption. Postoperative pain and discomfort during eating will be recorded daily for two weeks. Clinical variables, including palatal thickness, graft dimensions, operative time, operator experience, and donor-site wound healing, will also be assessed.

The primary outcome is postoperative pain intensity following palatal graft harvesting. Secondary outcomes include operative time, donor-site discomfort, oral health-related quality of life, analgesic consumption, psychological and behavioral factors, and donor-site healing. The results of this study aim to improve understanding of factors associated with postoperative pain and to support individualized patient management in mucogingival surgery.