The Everted Flap: Preliminary Results

Abstract

Introduction: Attainment of primary soft tissue closure at the time of guided bone regeneration (GBR) therapy often requires significant crestal repositioning of the buccal mucoperiosteal flap, resulting in compromise of the buccal vestibule and loss of mucogingival confluence in the area. The everted flap technique (EFT) is used at the time of extraction of teeth demonstrating bone loss beyond their apices and complete epithelialization of the extraction socket. The EFT uses the tissues within the extraction socket as part of the buccal mucoperiosteal flap, thus obviating the need for crestal mucoperiosteal flap repositioning after placement of regenerative material and covering membranes.Case Presentation: Out of 118 patients treated using the EFT in the authors' private practices, one primary case and two supplementary cases are presented here. Soft tissue primary closure was attained and maintained throughout the course of regeneration in all patients. No patients required repositioning of a buccal mucoperiosteal flap at a second surgical visit to reform the buccal vestibule and/or reestablish mucogingival confluence in the area.Conclusion: The EFT offers a means by which to help attain passive soft tissue primary closure after GBR therapy without crestal repositioning of the buccal mucoperiosteal flap and to lessen the need for buccal soft tissue repositioning.