Crevicular Incision
Pronunciation: kreh-VIK-yoo-lar
A surgical incision made within the gingival sulcus (crevice) around the tooth, used to raise a mucoperiosteal flap while preserving the interdental papillae.
Full Definition
A crevicular incision (also called a sulcular incision) runs along the base of the gingival crevice around each tooth to be included in the surgical field, allowing the mucoperiosteal flap to be elevated without severing the free gingival margin. This design is preferred when papilla preservation is important, such as in periapical surgery on anterior teeth or when aesthetics are a priority. Editors should not confuse 'crevicular incision' with 'crestal incision' (made along the ridge crest in an edentulous area) or 'relieving incision' (a vertical releasing cut at the flap margin). The distinction is clinically significant in operative notes and consent documentation.
Usage
Usage note: Synonymous with 'sulcular incision'; choose one form and apply consistently within a document. Clearly distinct from 'crestal incision' and 'relieving incision'.
In Context
- "A crevicular incision was made from the upper-left canine to the upper-left second premolar to facilitate flap reflection." — Operative Note
- "The manuscript used 'sulcular' and 'crevicular' interchangeably; house style requires a single term to be selected and applied consistently." — Manuscript Copyedit