Evaluation of different treatment modalities for closure of oro-antral communications and formulation of a rational approach.

Oro-antral communication is a common occurrence following removal of maxillary premolars and molars because of anatomic proximity of root apices of these teeth and maxillary antrum. Various methods have been described in literature for closure of these communications which vary from simple local methods like buccal advancement flap to complex distal flaps and grafts. Out of these plethora of the treatment modalities available for the treatment of oro antral fistula, the most simple and commonly used ones are either the buccal flap or the buccal pad of fat. In our study we compared the results, advantages and disadvantages of using buccal advancement technique and buccal fat pad individually and also in combination. With this paper, we aim to shed light on the efficacy of buccal pad of fat and the buccal flap, either alone or together, for the closure of OAF of various regions. We also aim to provide a systematic and rational approach for repair of oro-antral communications.