Objective: To compare ridge alterations after flap and flapless tooth extraction in the vertical and horizontal dimension in the dog model.
Material and methods: This study was carried out on five Beagle dogs. Four extractions were performed in the lower jaw of each dog (two per side. Pm3, Pm4). At the time of tooth extraction, flap surgery was performed on one side (control group). On the contra-lateral side, a flapless extraction was performed (test group). Mesial sockets were left untreated on both sides. After 3 months of healing, the dogs were sacrificed and prepared for histological analysis.
Results: Ten samples were evaluated on each group. The vertical difference in height between the buccal and lingual crest was 1.48 mm for the flap, and 1.22 mm for the flapless group. The horizontal dimension of the ridge was 4.41 mm (at 1 mm from the crest), 5.72 mm (at 3 mm from the crest) and 6.67 mm (at 5 mm form the crest) in the flap group. In the flapless group, the measurements were 4.5, 5.58 mm and 6.44 at 1, 3 and 5 mm from the crest, respectively.
Conclusion: Evaluating ridge alterations in the vertical and horizontal dimension after 3 months of healing following tooth extraction, results for the flap and the flapless group were very similar.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.