Flap surgery:

When non-surgical methods like scaling and root planning are not at all enough to treat your gum disease, you could become a candidate for gingival flap surgery to restore gum health.

Your dentist can best advice you if you are up for gum flap surgery or not by taking proper dental and medical
examination.

If left untreated, the gum disease in advanced stages can have the potential to cause extensive damage to surrounding structures which support your teeth and may lead to tooth loss.

Prior to surgery your dentist or hygienist will first perform prophylaxis to remove all the plaque and tartar accumulated around teeth and gums, to make sure that your oral hygiene is up to mark before the procedure.

The periodontist will start the flap surgery after numbing the area with a local anesthesia, and use a scalpel to separate the gums from teeth; and lift it to fold back forming a flap.

The flap gives your dentist direct access to the tooth root and surrounding structures, remove inflamed tissues from between the teeth and defects of surrounding bone.

Your periodontist will also smooth out any bony defect if present.

After completing the surgery, your dentist will suture the gums back in place; he / she can also place a periodontal pack or dressing over the surgery area.

Mild to moderate discomfort is usually present after this procedure; the dental care provider will prescribe you the pain relieving medications.

It is important to maintain your oral hygiene for proper healing of the surgical site.

It usually takes only few days to heal, during this recovery period have soft and cool diet like curd, pudding, do not drink from straw, avoid smoking, do not spit.

Apply ice packs to relieve any pain or swelling and minimize bleeding if present, be gentle while brushing your teeth.

Your dentist can recall you after one to two weeks for re-examination.