J Korean Assoc Oral Maxillofac Surg.  2009 Apr;35(2):101-105.

Blood Vessels of the Peri-Implant Mucosa: a Comparison Between Flap and Flapless Procedures

• Kim JI
• Choi BH
• Xuan F
• Kim HR
• Mo DY

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The vascularity of the peri-implant tissue is a very important parameter in establishment and maintenance of a healthy tissue after dental implant insertion.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to compare the vascularity of the peri-implant mucosa between flap and flapless implant surgeries by using a canine mandible model. STUDY DESIGN: In six mongrel dogs, bilateral, edentulated, flat alveolar ridges were created in the mandible. After 3 months of healing, two implants were placed in each side by either the flap or flapless procedures. After another healing period of 3 months, biopsies were obtained, prepared for light microscopy and exposed to morphometric measurements.
RESULTS
The supracrestal connective tissue lateral to the implant was found to be more richly vascularized in the flapless group than in the flap group.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that the flapless procedure may have an effect on increasing the vascularity of the peri-implant mucosa.

Keyword

Dental implant; Flapless; Flap; Vascularity; Peri-implant tissues

MeSH Terms

Animals
Biopsy
Blood Vessels
Connective Tissue
Dental Implants
Dogs
Light
Mandible
Microscopy
Mucous Membrane
Dental Implants