Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <bold>Objective</bold> To evaluate the effect of protecting the palatal donor site after free gingival graft (FGG) harvesting with a flowable resin composite (FRC) or a cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (CTA) on postoperative pain and wound healing. <bold>Materials and methods</bold> This split-mouth randomized controlled clinical trial enrolled 15 patients undergoing FGG harvesting from both palatal sides in two separate surgeries. Post-harvesting, one palatal wound was protected with CTA (control) and the contralateral side using FRC (experimental). Randomization determined treatment assignments and operated sides, ensuring that patients and examiners remained blind. Pain perception (VAS), analgesic consumption, patient comfort, and photographic wound healing (color, texture, and contour) were analyzed. <bold>Results</bold> Patients reported lower pain scores on the FRC side during days 5, 6, and 7 (p<0.05), whereas no differences were observed on days 1–4, 10, and 14. No significant differences were found regarding analgesic consumption, or wound healing (p>0.05). Nevertheless, 80% of patients reported greater comfort with FRC protection (p=0.0022). <bold>Conclusions</bold> FRC provided superior pain relief during postoperative days 5, 6, and 7, and enhanced patient comfort, making it the preferred treatment for 80% of patients. FRC demonstrated comparable efficacy to CTA regarding wound healing and analgesic consumption. <bold>Clinical relevance</bold> FRC may serve as an effective mechanical barrier for palatal protection following free gingival graft harvesting. Its prolonged stability over the surgical wound was associated with targeted pain reduction during the first postoperative week and greater patient-reported comfort. </p>