TRIANGULAR FLAP
There are many flap designs recommended for the removal of impacted third molars. Western Surgical and Sedation’s STOW will discuss four different flap designs: envelope, triangle, modified triangle, and “S” flap. The most commonly recommended flaps are the envelope and triangle. No flap is perfect for all situations.
The triangle flap is used when a small, conservative flap is needed. For example, a soft tissue impaction or when working around orthodontic brackets and archwires. The incision begins on the external oblique ridge 1 – 1.5 cm distal to the second molar. This full-thickness flap requires a releasing incision past the mucogingival junction. The incision should be in a mesial apical direction resulting in a broad-based flap.
It can be used in the maxilla and mandible. This conservative flap usually requires one 5.0 suture to close the vertical releasing incision.