Conservative Surgery with Modified Widman Flap Vs Papilla Preservation Technique for the Treatment of Residual Pockets

Conservative Surgery with Modified Widman Flap Vs Conservative Surgery with Papilla Preservation Technique for the Treatment of Residual Pockets: a 5-year Randomized Clinical Trial

The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of conservative surgery with or without papilla preservation technique in the treatment of deep residual pockets ≥ 6 mm in stage III-IV periodontitis patients after cause related therapy (step II) in terms of endpoints of therapy and other secondary outcomes at different time intervals (1, 3 and 5 years). Moreover, the study aims to evaluate the stability of the results obtained for the different surgical approaches over a 5 years follow-up period.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of stage III/IV periodontitis.
• Completed steps I-II periodontal therapy at least 6 weeks before.
• Full mouth plaque score of less than 15% at re-evaluation.
• Full mouth bleeding score of less than 15% at re-evaluation.
• Sextant with residual probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 6 mm at ≥ 2 natural teeth (third molars excluded).
• Signed informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Compromised general health which contraindicates the study procedures (ASA III-VI patients).
• Systemic diseases/medications which could influence the outcome of the therapy (e.g. uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, non-plaque-induced gingival diseases, antiepileptic drugs (phenytoin and sodium valproate), certain calcium channel-blocking drugs (e.g., nifedipine, verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine, felodipine), immunoregulating drugs (e.g., ciclosporine), and high-dose oral contraceptives).
• Pregnant or nursing women.
• Presence of tooth mobility ≥ class 2.