title: The meridian incision: a technical modification in the conservative surgery of the impacted maxillary canine.
abstract: We describe a technical modification of the apical repositioning flap in the conservative surgical treatment of the impacted canine in buccal position. This amendment improves the tooth's eventual visualization, thus permitting a better evolutive follow-up of its eruption process and, most importantly, providing the tooth with buccal attached gingiva that will accompany it in its downward progression, procuring a cervical contour without retraction, a satisfactory esthetic outcome and a physiologically correct periodontal ridge. The traditional apical repositioning flap also bestows the canine with attached gingiva; however, since the flap is sutured apically and its width is significantly smaller than the remaining surgical defect, the wound's closure is compromised at one of its edges and often requires healing by second intention at an undesired location next to the buccal sulcus. We believe the introduction of the meridian incision is a simple, expedient technical modification with efficient results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Spain. jose.v.pascual@uv.es
authors.forename: José V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Pascual Gil
authors.forename: Mariano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marqués Mateo
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puche Torres
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miragall Alba
authors.forename: Maria Eugenia
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Iglesias Gimilio
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Villar Puchades
mesh_terms: D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008437:Maxilla; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014078:Tooth Eruption; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*