Principles in periodontal osseous resection

In the clinical treatment of periodontal disease, the therapist should set definite goals so that he will know what to expect in a completed case. The goal of surgical intervention is certainly the elimination of the periodontal pocket. This is an obtainable objective. The therapist must understand normal periodontal morphology, thin margins, cone-shaped interdental papillae, and the interdental grooves blending into a harmonious periodontium. With this knowledge, he can surgically alter the tissue to achieve the desired architectural result. Restoration of the structures to healthy, maintainable contours is the ultimate success of his efforts. In many cases, osseous resection provides a mode of treatment that is predictable. It has become a basic procedure in periodontal therapy after more than 25 years of widespread clinical use by a large number of therapists.