A comparison of papillary retention versus full-thickness flaps with internal mattress sutures in anterior periodontal surgery

Esthetic considerations pose therapeutic dilemmas in the selection of surgical techniques in anterior periodontal surgery. Two surgical techniques designed to maximize postoperative esthetics in the anterior regions are described. Changes in interdental papillary height are reported and compared at 1 year postoperative. This study discusses the surgical techniques, their advantages and disadvantages, and their indications. Since there is less risk of recession and more potential for gain in papillary height, the papillary retention procedure, when possible, may be the procedure of choice in anterior regions.