A clinical study on oroantral fistulae.

The report presented is an analysis of 98 patients with an oroantral fistula (OAF). The tooth most frequently involved was the upper second molar, followed by the first molar. The highest incidence was seen in the fourth and third decades of life and the lowest incidence in the second decade. In this study, intercurrent sinusitis was the most obvious cause of the chronic oroantral communication. The closure of OAF is one of the more challenging problems in oral surgery. Long-term successful closure of OAF depends on the technique used, the size and location of the defect, and on the presence or absence of sinus disease. Among the several techniques proposed for treatment of OAFs, in the majority of cases, the buccal advancement flap technique was used in this study. The advantages and limitations of the technique are discussed.