INTRODUCTION
Autologous soft tissue grafts were first used for keratinized tissue (KT) augmentation around teeth. They have been considered an excellent alternative to tissue regeneration materials for their stable, long-term results.
AIM
This review aims to compare soft tissue grafts harvested from two different donor sites—the maxillary tuberosity and the hard palate, evaluate their advantages and disadvantages, and summarize the indications and limitations for their use.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
An electronic search using PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases was conducted until June 2024. This review includes 32 articles. It summarizes the knowledge on soft tissue grafts harvested from the hard palate and maxillary tuberosity.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The palate and the maxillary tuberosity are the most common donor sites for soft tissue grafting in the oral cavity. They have various applications, such as soft tissue augmentation around teeth and implants, treatment of gingival recessions, and peri-implant dehiscence, and recently they have been suggested as a method for alveolar ridge preservation. The main differences between these grafts are their availability and structural and histological features.
CONCLUSION
The present review summarizes the advantages, disadvantages, applications, and limitations of soft tissue grafts harvested from the palate and the maxillary tuberosity. Various clinical assessments and histological and molecular analyses have highlighted their differences in structure and behavior.
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