Clinical Wound Healing After Lower Third Molar Surgery with Envelope and Bayonet Flaps: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives: The present study mainly aimed to identify whether the envelope and triangular flaps affected wound healing and patient quality of life differently. Secondarily, the study aimed to investigate whether some anatomical and operational variables may also affect healing. Study design: A prospective randomized study was conducted with 56 fully impacted lower third molars, randomly divided into two groups, one treated with the envelope flap and the other with the bayonet flap. Qualitative variables were transformed into quantitative ones and then analyzed using independent samples t-tests or analysis of variance. An analysis of bivariate correlations with Pearson's coefficient was also used. The chi-square test was used to verify the association between each flap and the categorical variables considered. Results: No statistically significant associations were found between flap types and dehiscence, although the mean dehiscence diameter was consistently greater in the envelope flap group. The maximum diameter of the dehiscence at 14 days was found to be significantly and negatively related to the 14-day wound healing indices. Analyses relating to the quality of life did not show significant associations. Conclusions: Despite some significant healing differences between the two considered flaps exist, they do not have relevant effects on the patient's post-operative quality of life.