title: The Versatility in the Use of Buccal Fat Pad in the Closure of Oro-antral Fistulas.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Oroantral communications (OAC) are probable surgical complications of dentoalveolar procedures. OACs 2 mm in diameter or smaller are likely to close spontaneously without the need for any surgical intervention. However, OACs 3 mm in diameter or larger, or OACs associated with maxillary or periodontal inflammation, may persist, and surgical closure is recommended. Various surgical techniques have been suggested for the closure of oroantral defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have found the technique of two layer closure with buccal fat pad (BFP) and buccal mucoperiosteum quite useful for closure of chronic Oroantral fistula (OAF) and this article reports a case of OAF in the left first molar region of a 50 year old male, which has been closed successfully with this technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Buccal fat pad is a pedicled locally available flap which has its own blood supply and hence can be used with great efficacy in closure of OAF. This paper aims to elaborate the surgical details of this technique and its usefulness in closure of chronic OAF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PMS College of Dental Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
authors.forename: Suvy
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manuel
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PMS College of Dental Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
authors.forename: Surej
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, PMS College of Dental Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
authors.forename: Parvathi R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Nair
keywords: Buccal advancement flap; Buccal fat pad; Oro antral communication; Oro antral fistula; Two layer closure