title: Bone healing around implants following flap and mini-flap surgeries: a radiographic evaluation between stage I and stage II surgery.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Wonju College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Wonju, South Korea.
authors.forename: Seung-Mi
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Byung-Ho
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jingxu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Kang-Min
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.forename: Seoung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Xuan
mesh_terms: 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