Objectives <p>Healing of the palatal donor site and patient comfort after free gingival grafting are a challenge for clinicians. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of concentrated growth factor (CGF) and gelatin sponge on palatal wound healing and patient comfort following free gingival graft harvesting.</p> Materials and methods <p>Data were collected from 33 patients who underwent palatal wound management with CGF and absorbable gelatin sponge after free gingival graft harvesting. Epithelialization of the wound was assessed using the H₂O₂ test, while pain intensity was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Both evaluations were performed on the 3rd postoperative day and at weekly intervals (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th weeks). Analgesic consumption was recorded in three periods: T1 (days 1–3), T2 (days 3–7), and T3 (days 7–14).</p> Results <p>VAS pain scores did not differ significantly between the groups at any time point, though control group scores were higher on day 3. All patients had complete epithelialization by week 4, with the test group showing faster epithelialization at weeks 2 and 3 (not statistically significant). The control group required significantly more analgesic tablets than the test group on postoperative day 3 and throughout the healing period.</p> Conclusions <p>Palatal wound healing, pain perception, and analgesic consumption were comparable between CGF and absorbable gelatin sponge dressings.</p>