This article studied the alterations to the crestal portion of the vestibular alveolar process following flap operation and osseous surgery.
34 teeth from 20 patients participated in the study. A mucogingival flap was elevated and the alveolar process classified as thin, medium, or thick. Notches were placed at the gingival margin, 5 mm apical to the bone margin, and vertical and cross notches made in bone as indicated in fig. 1. Osseous reduction was done with rotatory instruments or bone chisels. 1 mm of bone was reduced. A standardized photograph was taken after osseous surgery was done. After periods ranging from 14 to 545 days, a flap was again elevated and another picture was taken.
The average reduction in bone was 0.54 mm. following flap retraction and osseous surgery. 47% of the teeth showed no loss and 82% of the teeth showed less than 1 mm. loss.
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