Surgical management of wide intrabony defect underlying midline diastema using Whale's tail flap technique: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION

Management of wide midline diastemas accompanying an underlying osseous defect is cumbersome which sometimes yields unpredictable results. However, regenerative therapy of these highly aesthetic zones using a Whale's tail flap technique obtains a maximum papilla fill after placement of the bone graft. This case report illustrated the utilisation of Whale's tail technique of flap for a large interdental defect.

CASE PRESENTATION: A young healthy 31-year-old male patient presented with maxillary midline diastema. Probing depth of 6 mm was also noted over the mesial aspect of the same teeth with localised osseous defect radiographically which lead to a diagnosis of localized chronic periodontitis in relation to those teeth. A Whale's tail technique flap for papilla preservation was performed together with a regenerative procedure using bone graft and GTR membrane.

DISCUSSION: Midline diastema is a common reported complaint in dentistry due to both aesthetic and functional reasons. Following the treatment, 12 months postoperatively, patient had a probing depth reduction of 3 mm and a gain in clinical attachment of 2 mm. The surgical technique allowed regeneration of wide intrabony defects involving the maxillary anterior teeth with notable interdental diastemas.

CONCLUSION

This lead to significant improvement of the hard and soft tissue contour as well as it recreated a functional reattachment which was documented up to 12 months postoperatively.