[Clinical evaluation and comparison of three surgical procedures for treatment of root surface exposure after epulis...

Objective: To evaluate and compare the clinical effects of three surgical procedures for the periodontal treatment of root surface exposure after resection of epulis. Methods: Thirty patients with epulis were selected in this study and the exposed root surfaces of the patients' teeth were covered with laterally transposition flap, laterally pedicled transposition flap or coronally advanced flap combined with a connective tissue graft in the treatments of epulis. At the time of follow-up during the operation, 3 months after operation and 6 months after operation, respectively, the color, shape and quality of the gum in the operation area and the coordination of the diaphragm and diaphragm were observed, and the root surface exposure (recession depth, RD) and angle were recorded. Keratinized tissue height (KTH), root coverage rate (RC) and patients' satisfaction with the surgery were also recorded. Results: The flap widths in groups of laterally pedicled transposition flap and coronally advanced flap combined with a connective tissue graft were significantly wider than that in the group of laterally transposition flap at three-month and six-month follow-ups after the surgery. The width of keratoderma [(2.70±1.16) mm] in the group of laterally transposition flap was significantly lower at 6 months postoperatively than that in the other two groups [(4.80±1.14) and (4.90±1.66) mm, respectively] (P<0.01). At the 6th month after surgery, the root flap coverage was at the lowest level [(24±43)%] in the group of laterally transposition flap, and it was significantly lower than that in the other two groups [(80±23)% and (86±24)%, respectively] (P<0.01). There was no significant difference of the root flap coverage between groups of laterally pedicled transposition flap and coronally advanced flap combined with a connective tissue graft. At the time of follow-up, patients were satisfied with the aesthetic effects of the three surgical procedures. Conclusions: After the resection of the gingival tumor, the defect of the gingiva is caused. The laterally pedicled flap and pedicled flap combined with connective tissue transplantations for soft tissue repairing can achieve satisfactory aesthetic effects which are superior to the effect of simple flap technique.