A CLINICAL-STUDY ON OROANTRAL FISTULAS

The report presented is an analysis of 98 patients with an oroantral f istula (OAF). The tooth most frequently involved was the upper second molar, followed by the first molar, The highest incidence was seen in the fourth and third decades of life and the lowest incidence in the s econd decade. in this study intercurrent sinusitis was the most obviou s cause of the chronic oroantral communication. The closure of OAF is one of the more challenging problems in oral surgery. Long-term succes sful closure of OAF depends on the technique used, the size and locati on of the defect, and on the presence or absence of sinus disease. Amo ng the several techniques proposed for treatment of OAFs, in the major ity of cases, the buccal advancement flap technique was used in this s tudy. The advantages and limitations of the technique are discussed.