Effects of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma on palatal wound healing of free gingival grafts: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma (NAPP) on wound healing, epithelization, local pain, bleeding, and alteration of sensation in palatal donor site. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients with inadequate attached gingiva were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: (i) NAPP group (Free gingival graft [FGG] + NAPP) and (ii) control group (FGG alone). NAPP was performed immediately after the operation and on days 3 and 7. Pain, bleeding, and the amount of medication were recorded by patients every day. Epithelization in donor site, alteration of sensation and color match were assessed weekly for 2 months. Inter-group comparisons of continuous variables by time were performed with two-way repeated measures ANOVA test and a general linear model. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square exact test. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: At week 2, the number of patients with complete epithelization was greater in the NAPP group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Additionally, color match in donor site was better in the NAPP group than in the control group (p < 0.05) during the first five follow-up assessments. No significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to bleeding, pain level, drug use, and alteration of sensation. CONCLUSION: The NAPP application increased the epithelization and accelerated the wound healing process although it did not decrease the level of pain and sensation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our data suggested that the NAPP application may help epithelization and thus may shorten the recovery time after oral surgeries.