Influence of different suturing techniques on periodontal health of the adjacent second molars after extraction of impacted mandibular third molars

Objective. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to compare the effects of different suturing techniques (simple loop suture vs. anchor suture) on the periodontal health of the adjacent second molars after impacted mandibular third molar extraction. Study design. Fifteen patients with bilaterally identical impacted mandibular third molars were used. Using split-mouth design, flaps were closed with either anchor suture technique or simple loop suture technique after the extraction of third molars. Postoperative examination included probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) measured at the distal surface of the second molars before surgery and 6 months after surgery. Results. The PPD and CAL in the distal surfaces of the second molars were significantly higher after 6 months in the simple suture group (P = .001), whereas no differences were found in the anchor suture group (P > .05). Intergroup comparisons showed that the 6-month PPD and CAL values of the distal surfaces were significantly higher in the simple suture group compared with the anchor suture group (P = .015). Conclusion. The results suggest that anchor suture might be a better technique to use to maintain healthy periodontium and to prevent periodontal problems after the extraction of impacted third molars. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2009; 108: 156-161)