title: Flapless implant surgery: a 2-year follow-up study of 40 implants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Flapless implant surgery is fast gaining popularity because of several advantages, such as reduced surgical time, postoperative bleeding, and swelling. Studies have shown that flap elevation results in some amount of bone loss. The aim of the current study was to compare the amount of bone loss in procedures using the flapless technique and those where flap elevation was done. Papillary fill was also compared in both techniques, which is unique to this study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients, selected according to certain inclusion and exclusion criteria, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups: Flap (F), or Flapless (FL). The amount of crestal bone loss was measured from standardized radiographs at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after implant placement. Papillary fill was evaluated using the Papillary presence index, which was measured 6 months after loading.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The bone loss was greater for the F group during all time periods and the mean papillary fill was greater for the FL group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, the results of the current study show that flapless implant surgery results in less crestal bone loss both during the healing period and after loading. In addition, it can produce better papillary fill. The cases selected for this study were ideal cases in terms of bone volume and the operator was well experienced, however. Care should be taken during case selection for flapless implant surgery.
authors: Reader, Department of Periodontics, Meenakshiammal Dental College, Maduravoyal, Chennai, India. Electronic address: sunitha.smiles@gmail.com.
authors: Raja V
authors: RV
authors: Sunitha
authors: Enukurthi
authors: E
authors: Sapthagiri
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000601:surgery*; D003758:Dental Implantation, Endosseous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015921:Dental Implants; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005881:Gingiva / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000601:surgery*; D008437:Maxilla / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013524:Surgical Flaps
chemical_list: D015921:Dental Implants