EVALUATION OF THE TYPE OF FLAP DESIGN USED FOR ENDODONTIC SURGERY- AN INSTITUTIONAL BASED STUDY

Abstract

Endodontic surgery can be used to locate small fractures or hidden canals previously undetected on X-rays during the initial treatment. It utilises both endodontic and surgical procedures to preserve the tooth and its supporting structures. During endodontic surgery various flap designs are used to attain adequate access and to minimise complications. Few examples of flap designs used include, Papilla preservation flap, trapezoidal flap, sulcular flap, triangular flap, semilunar flap etc.
To evaluate the type of flap design used during endodontic surgery by the dentists of Saveetha dental college.
All the cases reported for endodontic surgery between the month of June 2019 to March 2020 were considered for this study. Data of patients who underwent endodontic surgery were retrieved and reviewed. The type of flap design used were analyzed, tabulated and was subjected to statistical analysis using chi square test in SPSS by IBM.

From the statistical analysis, it can be observed that the most preferred flap design for endodontic surgery was Trapezoidal flap (63.2%), followed by Triangular flap (15.8%). Sulcular flap was preferred the least (5.3%). Trapezoidal flap was predominantly preferred among male patients of age 25 to 35 years and primarily in lower anteriors (66.6%). Within the limitation of the present study, it can be concluded that the most preferred flap for endodontic surgery was trapezoidal flap, predominantly in male patients between the age group of 25 to 35 years, primarily reported in mandibular anteriors.