The double split flap: a surgical approach for regenerative treatment of interproximal defects.
OBJECTIVE
Primary wound closure has been advocated to be indispensable for a successful outcome of guided tissue regeneration-procedures. Yet narrow inter-proximal spaces often lack sufficient tissue quantity in order to facilitate a tension free re-adaptation of periodontal flaps. In order to maintain an uneventful healing process, the concept of layer-wise wound closure is applied to periodontal surgery.


METHODS
This article describes the introduction of a modified flap design, the double split flap.


CONCLUSIONS
By preparation of a second, internal flap and a wound in a layer-wise fashion, it is assumed that primary healing will be more predictable to achieve.
Thalmair
Tobias
T
Private Institute for Periodontology and Implantology, Munich, Germany. tobias.thalmair@ipi-muc.de
Fickl
Stefan
S
Bolz
Wolfgang
W
Wachtel
Hannes
H
D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000601:surgery*; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000637:transplantation; D016557:Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000637:transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000145:classification*; D013536:Suture Techniques
D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; C109069:enamel matrix proteins