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Journals / Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine / 2026 / Volume: 9 Issue: 4

Impact of preoperative anxiety on postoperative quality of life after free gingival graft surgery: a prospective cohort clinical study

Hande Güntan Erdemir(BEZMI ALEM FOUNDATION UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF DENTISTRY)0000-0002-1470-4370
Serap Karakış Akcan(istanbul gelişim üniversitesi)0000-0003-4371-5455
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-07-20
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

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⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Conclusion: FGG surgery was associated with short-term OHQoL impairment, with recovery at one month; associations with anxiety, gender, and smoking should be interpreted cautiously.

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of free gingival graft (FGG) surgery on patients’ oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) during early healing and to assess the influence of preoperative anxiety over a one-month follow-up.
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: A total of 36 patients (11 males, 25 females) were enrolled.
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Conclusion & Impact:Conclusion: FGG surgery was associated with short-term OHQoL impairment, with recovery at one month; associations with anxiety, gender, and smoking should be interpreted cautiously.
🔬Design:Research Article
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Anxiety · gingival recession · oral health

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of free gingival graft (FGG) surgery on patients’ oral health-related quality of life (OHQoL) during early healing and to assess the influence of preoperative anxiety over a one-month follow-up. Methods: A total of 36 patients (11 males, 25 females) were enrolled. OHQoL was assessed using OHIP-14 at baseline (T0), during the first postoperative week (T1-7), and at 1 month (T30). Demographic variables and smoking status were recorded. Preoperative anxiety was evaluated using STAI-S/T, and postoperative pain during T1-7 was assessed using VAS. Intraoperative graft and recipient site dimensions were recorded. Plaque and gingival index and keratinized tissue width were assessed at T0 and T30. Results: Total OHIP-14 scores increased significantly during T1-3 and decreased significantly at T30 compared with T0 (p<0.05). Functional limitation scores increased during T1-7, pain and discomfort during T1-2, and behavioral impact on T1, while psychological impact scores showed significant improvement during T6-7. Analgesic consumption on T1 was positively correlated with total OHIP-14 scores. Females demonstrated higher OHIP-14 scores at T0 and throughout T1-7, whereas smokers exhibited higher scores during T3-7. STAI-S scores were significantly higher in females and showed significant correlations with OHIP-14 total and pain-discomfort scores at T0 and T3-7 (p<0.05). STAI-T correlated significantly with OHIP-14 only at T7. Conclusion: FGG surgery was associated with short-term OHQoL impairment, with recovery at one month; associations with anxiety, gender, and smoking should be interpreted cautiously.

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Cite This Article

Erdemir, H. G., Akcan, S. K. (2026). Impact of preoperative anxiety on postoperative quality of life after free gingival graft surgery: a prospective cohort clinical study. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, Volume: 9 Issue: 4. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1897335

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