Modified Apically Repositioned Flap in the Treatment of Unerupted Maxillary Central Incisors

From Volume 27, Issue 3, April 2000 | Pages 137-139

Authors

St J. Crean

FDS RCS, FRCS (Eng.)

Lecturer, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Eastman Dental Institute, London

Articles by St J. Crean

B. Banu

BDS, DDS, MSc

Clinical Assistant, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Eastman Dental Institute, London

Articles by B. Banu

H. Coonar

FDS RCS

Consultant, Department of Maxillofacial Surgery, Eastman Dental Institute, London

Articles by H. Coonar

Abstract

The successful management of labially unerupted maxillary central incisors requires a coordinated surgical, orthodontic and general practitioner approach. The key to achieving maximal eruption of these teeth is their surgical exposure, central to which is the philosophy that the surgeon must provide a functional width of attached gingiva on the labial surface. This case describes the incorporation of palatal mucosa into an apically repositioned flap, resulting in the successful establishment of an attached gingival margin, where routine flap design would have seriously compromised the eventual outcome.

Article