Effect of 2 flap designs on postoperative pain and swelling after impacted third molar surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate 2 flap designs (envelope and modified triangular flap) for postoperative pain and swelling after mandibular impacted third molar surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty patients who had symmetric bilateral fully impacted mandibular third molars were selected. Left teeth were approached with an envelope flap, and right teeth were removed using a modified triangular flap. Postoperative pain and swelling were evaluated until the seventh day by using 2 verbal rating scales. RESULTS: Statistical analyses showed that there were no significant differences between the 2 incision techniques regarding postoperative pain and swelling (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: There is no significant difference between the envelope and modified triangular flap regarding postoperative pain and swelling after impacted third molar surgery.