Contemporary periodontal surgery: 1. Surgical principles

Periodontal surgery comprises surgical intervention of the supporting tissues of the teeth. This ranges in complexity from simple exodontia to technically demanding periodontal plastic surgery and includes the management of periodontal diseases, implant placement and preparatory treatment for fixed and removable prostheses. Modern surgical management reflects both a move towards evidence-based practice and the introduction of improved techniques and armamentarium. General principles of surgical management hold true regardless of what procedure is being carried out. These principles form a sound basis for any practitioner contemplating surgical interventions for their patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A sound understanding of first principles will simplify periodontal surgical management. Careful surgical preparation will render surgical procedures more predictable and reduce post-operative discomfort.