Evaluation and Comparison of Postoperative Healing with and without Periodontal Dressing in Patients Undergoing Periodontal Therapy: A Systematic Review

Background:Wound healing is a multifactorial process, and the wound environment is in a constant state of flux. Periodontal wound healing can be hampered by a number of local factors and to minimize this, the practice of application of periodontal dressings was undertaken.Materials and Methods:This systematic review aims to gather and evaluate all available data about postoperative healing with and without periodontal dressings in patients undergoing periodontal therapy. An extensive search was conducted using databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane, EBSCO, CTRI, and hand search of a list of archived articles published from January 1974 to June 2022. Randomized controlled trials were searched, using plaque index, sulcular bleeding index, postoperative bleeding, swelling, volume of gingival crevicular fluid, gingival inflammation, pocket depth, pain and the outcomes were evaluated with a minimum follow-up of 24 h. The risk of bias was estimated after data extraction.Results:The results from our systematic review showed that periodontal dressings do not help in healing after routine flap surgeries, and hence, its use is restricted. Periodontal dressings lead to plaque accumulation, which in turn causes inflammation and irritates the healing tissues. Periodontal dressings may be placed after certain procedures such as apically displaced flaps, free gingival graft surgeries, and also procedures where protection of denuded bone is needed.Conclusion:Periodontal dressings are not indicated after flap surgeries. However, their usage after certain procedures such as apically displaced flaps, free gingival graft surgeries, and procedures where protection of denuded bone is required is recommended.