Introduction:
The term Mucogingival surgery was coined by Friedman in 1957 and was used to denote procedures that were utilized to create widened zone of attached gingiva, retain attached gingiva after pocket elimination, prevent and address gingival defects, alter position or alter frenum pull where the attached gingiva is narrow and deepen vestibules in regions with narrow attached gingiva. In 1996, the World Workshop on periodontics recommended the term “Periodontal plastic Surgery” coined by Miller to replace the term Mucogingival surgery and now expanded the definition to include procedures to correct or eliminate anatomic, developmental, and traumatic deformities of the gingiva and alveolar mucosa.
In 1996, the definition was also broadened to include Periodontal/Prosthetic procedures, Crown lengthening, ridge augmentation, esthetic surgical corrections, root coverage procedures, esthetic correction around dental implants and surgical exposure around unerupted teeth. For Hygienists the ability to identify these conditions in patients that they are treating is essential because the conditions can be referred and treated helping their patients better maintain their periodontal and peri-implant health.
The goal of this Course is to review Periodontal plastic surgery procedures, their indications and contraindications during periodontal therapy as well as their overall impact on periodontal health.
