Modified Widman flap procedure: With or without periodontal dressing?

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the postoperative pain experience and gingival indexes with and without the use of periodontal dressing after Modified Widman flap procedure. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients requiring comparable bilateral flap procedures were selected. One quadrant of each jaw randomly received periodontal dressing after the surgery while the other one didn’t. Plaque Index (PI), Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI) and Probing Depth (PD) were measured prior to the surgery, one week and 2 weeks after the surgery. Postoperative pain experience also was assessed at the conclusion of study. Results: Results showed no significant differences between dressed and undressed segments regarding changes in probing depth, plaque index or sulcus bleeding index. However patients reported significantly less pain postoperatively when the dressing was used Conclusion: Pain is reduced by periodontal dressing but No significant differences between dressed and undressed segments regarding changes in probing depth, plaque index or sulcus bleeding index.