Ultrasound Guided Free Gingival Graft: Case Report

Figure 1. Preoperative clinical finding showing a lack of attached gingiva around the healing abutment. Figure 2. Preoperative periapical X ray showing that the implant for the second molar was placed and maintained well. Figure 3. US imaging device and intraoral probe. Figure 4. Insertion of the oral probe for detecting the great palatine artery and measuring the thickness of the palatal gingiva. Figure 5. Ultrasound Doppler image of the palatal mucosa showing the course of the greater palatal artery and the thickness of the palatal gingiva (blue line: outline of palatal gingiva, red dot: great palatal artery, green line: palate).

Figure 6. Harvesting palatal gingiva while the great palatal artery is preserved. Figure 7. Comparison of pre- and postoperative views. A sufficient amount of free gingival graft could be placed around the healing abutment.