Triangular mucoperiosteal flaps have how many releasing incisions at the line angle of the tooth?

• A. Zero
• B. One
• C. Two
• D. Three

Answer: (B)

Gaining mobility of the mucoperiosteal flap relies on releasing incisions placed to let the tissue reflect without tearing. A triangular flap is designed to be smaller and needs only a single releasing incision at a line angle to provide enough flap excursion for access while preserving blood supply from the surrounding tissues. If more mobility were required, two releasing incisions would create a trapezoidal flap; without releasing incisions, reflection would be limited, and three incisions would be excessive and risk tissue viability. So, one releasing incision is used.