A minimally invasive surgical approach for periodontal regeneration: surgical technique and observations

Increasingly, patients referred to periodontists have undergone some form of non-surgical periodontal treatment prior to their referral. As a result of this, there is an increased need to treat isolated, rather than generalized, periodontal defects. A surgical technique that utilizes small incisions and a limited access approach for treating isolated periodontal defects is described. Results from the use of the minimally invasive surgical (MIS) technique for periodontal regeneration in a comparison study appear to be similar to those where a more traditional surgical approach has been used. Some of the apparent advantages and disadvantages of using the MIS approach are discussed.