Mucogingival Problems, Prevalence and Therapy in Children

The clinical impressions of the authors and a survey of mucogingival problems in children lead to the following conclusions: 1. Mucogingival problems occur in children. 2. The prevalence of such problems is 12 to 19% in sample of 100 patients examined. 3. Insufficient keratinized tissue is developmentally related to: a. eruption pattern of the permanent incisors. b. buccolingual width of the alveolar process. 4. The autogenous free gingival graft is recommended as an acceptable procedure to prevent incipient mucogingival problems from progressing. 5. Where orthodontic therapy is anticipated and coincidentally insufficient keratinized tissue exists, a free gingival graft should be performed prior to tooth movement. 6. Grafts would be recommended in children with 1 mm or less of keratinized tissue. 7. Grafts would not be recommended in children when there is over 2 mm of keratinized tissue. 8. Grafts would not be recommended in children with greater than 1 mm of attached gingiva.