Soft and Hard Tissue Remodeling after Endodontic Microsurgery: A Cohort Study

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the incision type, with or without a coronally repositioning flap (CRF), on soft tissue healing and crestal bone remodeling after endodontic microsurgery (EMS).

Clinical pictures and cone-beam computed tomography images from 47 patients (120 teeth) taken before surgery and at the follow-up appointment were included in this study. Clinical pictures were qualitatively evaluated by 2 endodontists for the gingival marginal level (GML) (recession, same position, or coronal root coverage), papillary height (same position/receded), and for presence/absence of scars for each tooth. Cone-beam computed tomography images were used to calculate the changes in the distance between the cementoenamel junction and the crestal bone level (CBL) between the preoperative and follow-up scans. Statistical analyses were performed to determine a correlation between patient-related factors (age, sex, tooth type, position, and presence/absence of a crown), incision techniques, and changes within the CBL.

Gingival recession was more prevalent in mandibular teeth, molar teeth, and teeth that received intrasulcular or papilla-based incisions (P < .05). Scar formation was affected by the flap design (P < .05). CRF was the only technique resulting in coronal root coverage (P < .05). There were no changes observed in the papillary height between the various flap designs. There was also no statistically significant difference in the crestal bone height between the preoperative and follow-up scan measurements (P > .05).

Soft tissue changes are evident after EMS and can be affected by the flap design selected, as well as the site being treated. Application of CRF can improve the position of GML after EMS. There are insignificant changes within the CBL at the facial aspect of the root after EMS.