Periodontal conditions following surgical exposure of unerupted maxillary canines--a long term follow-up study of two surgical techniques.

Two surgical techniques for exposure of impacted labially positioned maxillary canines were compared as to periodontal conditions at the end of the orthodontic treatment period. In the radical exposure group the alveolar mucosa and bone covering the crown were removed. In the other group a pedicle flap including keratinized gingiva was used for exposure. After the removal of bone the flap was apically positioned and sutured. The non-treated contralateral canines served as controls. The result showed that radical exposure in the region of alveolar mucosa resulted in significantly reduced width of buccal keratinized gingiva, reduced sulcus depth, increased gingival recession and increased gingivitis. The difference between the apically positioned flap group and the non-treated control groups was not significant.