Does the Papilla Preservation Flap Technique Induce Soft Tissue Modifications over Time in Endodontic Surgery Procedures?

Introduction: The aim of the present controlled clinical trial was to compare 2 incision techniques, papilla base incision (PBI) and sulcular incision (IS), evaluating changes in papilla and recession height over a 12 month period. Methods: A total of 24 subjects requiring endodontic surgery on a single tooth were enrolled. PBI was used in 1 group and IS in the other group. The primary outcomes were changes in gingival recession of the tooth affected by periapical lesions and the mesial and distal teeth and the mesial and distal papilla height using the treated tooth as the reference. Outcome variables were assessed at baseline and 12 months after the surgical intervention. Statistical analysis was performed by a blinded operator through appropriate tests, with significance set at a P value equal to .05. Results: In the PBI group, the papilla height at the 12-month follow-up in the mesial and distal aspect decreased 0.10 +/- 0.32 mm and 0.10 +/- 0.32 mm, respectively, and 0.23 +/- 0.68 mm and 0.25 +/- 0.40 mm, respectively, in the IS group without any significant differences. There were no differences found for recession change values between groups. Conclusions: The PBI and IS approaches in endodontic surgery showed similar results in terms of papilla height preservation and recession changes.