title: A videoscope for use in minimally invasive periodontal surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Minimally invasive periodontal procedures have been reported to produce excellent clinical results. Visualization during minimally invasive procedures has traditionally been obtained by the use of surgical telescopes, surgical microscopes, glass fibre endoscopes or a combination of these devices. All of these methods for visualization are less than fully satisfactory due to problems with access, magnification and blurred imaging.
  A videoscope for use with minimally invasive periodontal procedures has been developed to overcome some of the difficulties that exist with current visualization approaches. This videoscope incorporates a gas shielding technology that eliminates the problems of fogging and fouling of the optics of the videoscope that has previously prevented the successful application of endoscopic visualization to periodontal surgery. In addition, as part of the gas shielding technology the videoscope also includes a moveable retractor specifically adapted for minimally invasive surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical use of the videoscope during minimally invasive periodontal surgery is demonstrated and discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The videoscope with gas shielding alleviates many of the difficulties associated with visualization during minimally invasive periodontal surgery.
authors.affiliation: Baylor College of Dentistry Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dallas, TX 75229, USA. skharrel@gmail.com
authors.forename: Stephen K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Harrel
authors.forename: Thomas G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rivera-Hidalgo
mesh_terms: D019723:Endoscopes; D004867:Equipment Design; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000295:instrumentation; D005889:Gingival Recession / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D055100:Optical Fibers; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000601:surgery; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000601:surgery; D010781:Photography / Q000295:instrumentation; D018583:Pliability; D016745:Root Planing / Q000295:instrumentation; D013357:Subgingival Curettage / Q000295:instrumentation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000601:surgery; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation*
keywords: endoscope; minimally invasive procedures; periodontics; surgical procedures; videoscope