Why do we festoon the surface of periodontal dressings?

The selection of festooning periodontal dressings primarily serves to help with retention. When dressings are festooned, they are shaped and contoured to better fit the contours of the soft tissues in the oral cavity. This helps ensure that the dressing adheres securely to the underlying tissue or teeth, reducing the likelihood of it dislodging or becoming loose during the healing process.

For optimal effectiveness, it's essential that the dressing remains in place to provide the necessary protection and support as the periodontal area heals. By properly festooning the dressing, dental professionals can enhance its stability, thereby facilitating a more conducive environment for healing. The other choices, while they touch upon important aspects of periodontal treatment, do not primarily address the main function of festooning, which is focused on ensuring that the dressing remains properly positioned and secure.