Bone healing around implants following flap and mini-flap surgeries: a radiographic evaluation between stage I and stage II surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare the effects of flap and mini-flap implant surgeries on crestal bone changes around dental implants.


METHODS
A total of 286 implants were placed in 129 patients: 142 implants were placed in 58 patients by using a conventional flap procedure, and 144 implants were placed in 71 patients by using a mini-flap procedure. The 2 groups were evaluated radiographically for postoperative changes in the crestal bone level from the time of placement to the time of exposure (3 to 4 months later).


RESULTS
The mean crestal bone loss was 0.26 mm in the flap group and 0.20 mm in the mini-flap group (P > .05). The success rate was 96.5% in the flap group and 100% in the mini-flap group (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that when implants are placed using a mini-flap procedure, the mini-flap procedure may increase the success rate.
Jeong
Seung-Mi
SM
Department of Dentistry, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, South Korea.
Choi
Byung-Ho
BH
Li
Jingxu
J
Ahn
Kang-Min
KM
Lee
Seoung-Ho
SH
Xuan
Feng
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome