Flap Surgeries
Dental flap surgeries are usually done to treat severe gum disease (periodontitis) if antibiotics fall insufficient in curing the problem. Although root planing and scaling are other options that can be chosen, sometimes if the infection is very severe, the only choice is to get a flap surgery done.
What does a flap surgery do?
A flap procedure involves cleaning the roots of a tooth and repairing damaged bones that are a result of severe gum disease.
Gingival flap surgery is a procedure where the periodontist separates the gums from the teeth and folds them back temporarily. This procedure helps the Dentist in reaching the root of the tooth and the bone and repair the damage.
What is done during a dental flap surgery?
The procedure involves the removal of plaque and tartar that forms on and around the teeth to make sure oral hygiene is good.
The dental flap surgery is done under local anaesthesia. The doctor pulls back a section of the gums which helps to clean the roots of the teeth and repair the damaged bone. The gum flap is then sewed back and covered with gauze for the bleeding to stop.
After a dental flap surgery
- The bone is smoothed which obstructs the plaque to grow on the teeth.
- The bone is reshaped or grafted with bone material from another part of the body or with a replacement of bone material.
- For the recovery after a dental flap surgery, a lining is placed on the bone graft for the bone grow back and is usually removed later.
Good dental care after your dental flap surgery is very crucial. This will help you have clean and healthy teeth and gums. The gums should eventually become pink which is a sign of healthy gums.
