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

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.