Changes in Keratinized Tissue Width Following Connective Tissue Grafts and Diode Laser- vs Blade-Gingivoplasty

: The objectives of this study were to clinically and histologically assess the capacity of bilaminar subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTGs) alone or in combination with gingivoplasty (Gv) to increase the keratinized gingiva width (KGW) in contralateral mandibular sites lacking KG (10 patients, 42 sites). The effects of Gv timing (1 vs 2 months) and technique (blade vs laser) were also evaluated. SCTGs alone resulted in mean KGW increase of 0.1 to 0.7 mm. Laser-Gv significantly increased KGW by an additional 1.9 mm at 4 months postabrasion as opposed to 0.9 mm achieved with blade-Gv. Histologically, laser-treated sites displayed parakeratinization with more pronounced rete pegs than observed in blade-abraded sites.