Comparison of Lingually Based and Buccally Based Triangular Flap Designs on Postoperative Morbidity Following Impacted Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The design of the surgical flap may have a direct effect on postoperative morbidity following impacted wisdom removal. The aim of the current study is to compare lingually based and buccally based triangular flap designs regarding postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus. Forty patients requiring removal of impacted mandibular third molars were randomly allocated into 2 groups: a lingually based flap group and a buccally based flap group. All surgeries were performed by the same operator, and patients were evaluated on the seventh day. Outcomes included pain intensity, maximum mouth opening, facial swelling, and incidence of trismus. Sixteen patients in each group completed the follow-up. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 flap designs in terms of pain, swelling, mouth opening, or trismus. The findings suggest that both lingually and buccally based triangular flap designs are comparable in their effect on short-term postoperative morbidity after impacted third molar surgery.