THE INFLUENCE OF VESTIBULOPLASTY SURGICAL METHODS ON PERIODONTAL REGENERATION

Abstract

Successful long-term periodontal regeneration is contingent not only on the restoration of alveolar bone, cementum, and the periodontal ligament but also on the stability of the overlying soft tissue architecture. An inadequate vestibular depth and high muscle attachments (e.g., from the mentalis muscle) exert persistent traction on the gingival margin. This tension can lead to flap instability, accelerate gingival recession, and compromise the delicate healing environment required for regenerative procedures, ultimately leading to therapeutic failure. Vestibuloplasty, a mucogingival surgical procedure designed to deepen the vestibule and increase the zone of keratinized tissue (KT), is a critical adjunct to periodontal regeneration, yet the influence of the specific surgical technique on regenerative outcomes is not fully elucidated.