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Coronoid-Temporalis Pedicled Flap for Orbital Floor Defect Reconstruction
Published on: December 5, 2025
Coronally advanced flap combined with a subepithelial connective tissue graft using full- or partial-thickness flap
Fabio Mazzocco1, Luca Comuzzi, Riccardo Stefani
1Department of Periodontology, Padua University, Padua, Italy. fmazzocco@hotmail.com
Journal of Periodontology
|February 24, 2011
Summary
Comparing flap techniques for root coverage, this study found no significant difference in outcomes between full-thickness and partial-thickness flaps when used with subepithelial connective tissue grafts. Both methods effectively improved gingival recession and keratinized tissue width.
Area of Science:
- Periodontology
- Regenerative Dentistry
- Oral Surgery
Background:
- Subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) with coronally advanced flaps (CAF) are common for periodontal defects.
- Partial-thickness flaps risk perforation or overthinning.
- Comparing flap thickness is crucial for optimizing SCTG procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of full-thickness versus partial-thickness flap reflections in conjunction with SCTG for periodontal regeneration.
- To evaluate the impact of flap thickness on root coverage and keratinized tissue gain.
Main Methods:
- A randomized trial involving 20 patients with Miller Class I or II defects (52 teeth).
- Teeth were randomly assigned to either full-thickness (test group) or partial-thickness (control group) flap reflection with SCTG and CAF.
- Outcomes assessed included probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), and keratinized tissue (KT) width at baseline and 6 months.
Main Results:
- Mean root coverage was 97% (test) and 95% (control), with mean GR reduction of 2.27 mm (test) and 1.68 mm (control).
- Keratinized tissue gain was 0.46 mm (test) and 0.49 mm (control).
- No statistically significant differences were observed between groups for PD, GR, or KT (P >0.05).
Conclusions:
- Flap thickness (full- vs. partial-thickness) did not significantly impact post-surgical keratinized tissue or root coverage percentages.
- Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended to validate these findings.
