Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Be an adult who is having tissue taken from the roof of the mouth as part of a gum graft procedure. * Be able and willing to give informed consent on their own. * Have good oral hygiene (keep their teeth and gums clean). * Have a healthy roof of the mouth with no unusual shape, disease, or injury. * Not have any active illness affecting their overall health. * Not have a medical condition that can slow wound healing, such as uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. * Not currently pregnant. * Not have received a blood transfusion in the last 3 months. * For normal-weight group (BMI less than than 30 kg/m2, waist circumference less than 35 inches for women or greater than 40 inches for men) or for obesity group (BMI greater than 30 kg/m2, waist circumference greater than 35 inches for women and greater than 40 inches for men). Exclusion Criteria: * Are unable or unwilling to provide your own informed consent. * Take medications that may affect healing or require changes to the planned surgery. * Have a history of alcohol or drug abuse. * Currently smoke or have smoked in the past. * Have had surgery before in the area where the current procedure will be performed. * Have a history of an autoimmune disease or condition.