A Comparison of the Continuous and Interrupted Suturing Techniques

This investigation compared the efficacy of interrupted and continuous suturing for primary closure of the apically positioned flap. Twenty-two flap procedures were performed on contralateral sites in 10 patients. The 11 sites where interrupted suturing was used had a degree of presurgical periodontal involvement which was similar to that in the 11 contralateral sites where continuous suturing was used. At postsurgical assessment visits, after 3 months and 6 months, gingival health status was evaluated for both groups. Recession, residual pocket depth and loss of attachment were also measured. Analysis of the data for each of these parameters indicated no statistically significant difference between the two groups. However, the overall clinical impression was that interrupted suturing provided better flap adaptation.