Comparison of Gingival Flap Procedure Using Conventional Surgical Loupes vs. Videoscope for Visualization

It is well known that tartar makes at-home oral hygiene care more difficult. The plaque and bacteria that accumulate on tartar are considered the primary factors contributing to gum disease. Conventional gum surgery is commonly performed using loupes (magnification glasses). The use of a videoscope, a handheld miniature camera, allows for greater visualization during surgery. While the debris on the root surface of teeth is not visible with loupes, it is easily observed when the root surface is visualized with the high magnification of the videoscope. The videoscope allows for up to 40x magnification to visualize underneath the gumline. The use of loupes and the videoscope are methods of visualization that are standard of care at the Texas A\&M College of Dentistry. This study is being performed to compare different methods of visualization during routine gum surgery. The gum surgery is standard of care. This study will compare the use of the videoscope in conjunction with loupes during surgery vs. surgery only using loupes. No aspect of this study is investigational, however, bacterial samples will be collected from the patients at multiple time points to assess outcomes. The collection of bacterial samples for research will be conducted through paper points and an oral rinse. These methods are well-established methods of data collection. Data will be sent to OralDNA labs for analysis. A special contract is required between the school and the company as they will be paid for the services rendered. Hypothesis: Does the use of the videoscope in conjunction with loupes, as compared to only using loupes for visualization during surgery, have a positive effect (i.e. reduced inflammation and active disease) on the outcomes of gum surgery.