CORONALLY POSITIONED PALATAL SLIDING FLAP

A new flap design, the coronally positioned palatal sliding flap, was used to cover barrier membrane placed over implants in one patient and to provide localized ridge augmentation around implants in another pa tient. The method is a valid surgical approach because of the favorabl e risk-benefit ratio. The surgical technique is easy to to perform, an d if is possible to obtain a sufficient sliding position of the palata l tissue. This new palatal flap design may be indicated for a variety of periodontal surgical procedures, including guided tissue regenerati on and implant surgery.