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The Science and Art of Microsuturing

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Microsurgery in Periodontal and Implant Dentistry

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Abstract

Technically speaking, approximation of wound margins is the last step to be executed during a surgical procedure. Practically speaking, soft tissue approximation and closure of the open wound should have been visualized and planned before the first incision has been traced. The microsurgeon must become knowledgeable on biological and physiological concepts that define wound healing, must develop competent skills in handling hard and soft tissues, must have a clear understanding of the different biotextiles and biomaterials available to utilize when performing microsurgical procedures in periodontal and dental implant related therapy.

This chapter covers the historical background and evolution of surgical biotextiles and needles, principles of wound closure, technical details of the armamentarium utilized while suturing, elaborates on the geometry of suturing emphasizing biomechanical aspects of suture performance and offers resources to develop suturing skills under the operating microscope (OM). All these concepts are delivered and supported with photographic material and videos to facilitate the understanding and application of principles related to the science and art of microsuturing.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Private Practice, Fenton, MI, USA

    Diego Velasquez-Plata

  2. Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Periodontics and Oral Medicine Department, The University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Diego Velasquez-Plata

  3. Private Practice, Springfield, IL, USA

    J. David Cross

Authors
  1. Diego Velasquez-Plata
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  2. J. David Cross
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Diego Velasquez-Plata .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Hsun-Liang (Albert) Chan

  2. School of Dentistry, University of Michigan, Ann Abor, MI, USA

    Diego Velasquez-Plata

1 Electronic Supplementary Materials

Geometry of suturing: knot tying. (MP4 142461 kb)

The frequency of sutures. (MP4 298278 kb)

First Module: picking up the needle. (MP4 55909 kb)

Second Module: holding the needle. (MP4 43226 kb)

Module 3: needle insertion. (MP4 114870 kb)

Module 4: tying the knot. (MP4 73639 kb)

Module 5: Mistakes when holding the needle. (MP4 68666 kb)

Module 6: Mistakes related to needle insertion. (MP4 58842 kb)

Module 7: Mistakes during knot tying. (MP4 133999 kb)

Compression Zones. (MP4 101566 kb)

The square knot (1 = 1). (MP4 179111 kb)

The Granny knot (1 × 1). (MP4 294134 kb)

The surgeons knot (2 = 1). (MP4 201805 kb)

The English Surgeon’s Knot (2=2). (MP4 212913 kb)

The application of the English Surgeon’s Knot in the Microsurgical Connective Tissue Graft. (MP4 201800 kb)

Clinical application of both the Square Knot and the English Surgeon’s Knot in Microsurgical Esthetic Crown Lengthening. (MP4 97505 kb)

The continuous suture with the English Surgeon’s Knot for precise wound closure. (MP4 183435 kb)

The continuous suture with the English Surgeon’s Knot for precise wound closure. (MP4 222522 kb)

Gauze. (MP4 213196 kb)

Newspaper. (MP4 165562 kb)

Needles. (MP4 184199 kb)

Egg. (MP4 137459 kb)

Eggplant. (MP4 218731 kb)

Tomato-Star. (MP4 129181 kb)

Grass Blade. (MP4 102793 kb)

Flower. (MP4 132750 kb)

Mushroom. (MP4 133295 kb)

Tissue Paper Box-Silicone/Resin Dental Model. (MP4 133004 kb)

Plastic Micro-tubing. (MP4 140007 kb)

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Velasquez-Plata, D., Cross, J.D. (2022). The Science and Art of Microsuturing. In: Chan, HL.(., Velasquez-Plata, D. (eds) Microsurgery in Periodontal and Implant Dentistry. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96874-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-96874-8_5

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