Papilla base incision: a new approach to recession-free healing of the interdental papilla after endodontic surgery.

AIM The purpose of the present study was to describe and evaluate a new incision technique: the papilla base incision. METHODOLOGY Twenty healthy patients referred for surgical treatment of persisting apical periodontitis, who were free of periodontal disease and had intact interdental papillae were included in the study. The preoperative papilla height was recorded by measuring the distance between the contact point and the most coronal point of the papilla. The papilla base flap, consisting of the papilla base incision and two releasing incisions, was used to expose the bone. The papilla base incision consisted of a shallow first incision at the base of the papilla and a second incision directed to the crestal bone, creating a split thickness flap in the area of the papilla base. Further apically a full thickness flap was raised. Following standard root-end resection and filling, flap closure was achieved with microsurgical sutures. The papilla base incision was sutured with 2-3 interrupted sutures, which were removed 3-5 days after the surgery. The experimental sites were evaluated at the conclusion of the surgery, at suture removal and after 1 month, and compared to the preoperative findings. The healing pattern, complications and postoperative recession were recorded. The experimental sites were observed with a x 3 magnification and graded as to whether a visible scar resulting from the incision could be detected. Twenty experimental sites were analysed. RESULTS Complete closure of the wound was achieved in all cases after surgery. Except for four patients with delayed healing at suture removal, all other patients displayed rapid healing. No noticeable space was created beneath the contact point area. The change in distance between the reference point and the most coronal point of the papilla comparing the preoperative and the one-month postoperative situation was 0.05 +/- 0.39 mm. The probing depth remained within normal limits. One month postoperatively, observation of the incision demonstrated: four sites with a visible incision line (grade 1), in seven sites the incision defect could be partially detected (grade 2) and nine incisions could not be detected (grade 3). CONCLUSIONS In patients with healthy marginal periodontal conditions the papilla base incision allows rapid and predictable recession-free healing following marginal surgical exposure of the soft tissues. One month postoperatively the majority of the incisions were completely or partially invisible. Long-term healing will be studied.