Oral Surgery · single question
When designing an incision flap to surgically remove tooth #17 (lower left third molar), the incision:
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Must end in solid bone (not over the defect)
✓ A) Must end in solid bone is correct.
Flap design principles require that releasing incisions end over solid bone to ensure the flap margin has bony support for healing and to prevent wound dehiscence. An incision ending over a bony defect or void will not heal properly and risks flap necrosis. The mesial vertical release for #17 goes anteriorly along the external oblique ridge, never toward the tongue (that risks lingual nerve damage).
Flap design principles require that releasing incisions end over solid bone to ensure the flap margin has bony support for healing and to prevent wound dehiscence. An incision ending over a bony defect or void will not heal properly and risks flap necrosis. The mesial vertical release for #17 goes anteriorly along the external oblique ridge, never toward the tongue (that risks lingual nerve damage).