Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of different healing modes of modified angle flap on recovery and safety of impacted teeth extraction. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-three patients with unilaterally impacted mandibular molar extraction were enrolled, and randomly divided into two groups: wound suture group and non-suture group. All teeth were extracted with the same methods. After extraction, the wound of suture group underwent triangular flap-primary healing (TF-P), while modified triangular flap-secondary healing (MTF-S) was achieved on a triangular region of mucosa posterior to the lower second molar in the non-suture group. The pain (VAS) score, swelling degree, trismus, healing time, postoperative complications, probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) of the second molar were compared between the two groups. SPSS 20.0 software package was used for data analysis. RESULTS: VAS score of non-suture group was significantly lower than that of suture group at 1 d and 3 d postoperatively (P<0.05). Swelling degree and trismus of non-suture group were significantly milder than those of suture group at 1, 3 and 7 d postoperatively (P<0.05). The incision healing time of non-suture group was significantly longer than that of the suture group (P<0.05). The incidence of trismus and swelling in non-suture group was significantly lower than that in the suture group (P<0.05). The incidence of dry socket, pain and incision infection in non-suture group was slightly lower than that in the suture group, but with no significant difference (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Modified triangular flap-secondary healing for patients with unilaterally impacted mandibular molar extraction can effectively ameliorate the pain degree, swelling, and trismus, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Key words: Modified triangular flap, Impacted tooth, Wound healing, Safety