A dental clinic led by Dr. Joseph Xuereb, a dental surgeon and Fellow in General Dental Surgery of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, and a Fellow of the International College of Dentists.
Gingival flap surgery is a kind of gum surgery. The gums are separated from the teeth and folded back for a short time. This lets a dentist get to the root of the tooth as well as the bone.
What it is used for?
This kind of surgery is used to treat gum disease. It might be suited to those with advanced or moderate gum disease. Generally, a treatment, which does not need surgery, is performed first. This is known as root planing or scaling. If this treatment doesn't get rid of the gum infection, gingival flap surgery can be used. It as well might be performed together with another procedure called osseous (bone) surgery.
Preparation
Your dental hygienist or periodontist will first get rid of all tartar and plaque from around your teeth. He or she will ensure that your oral hygiene is good. Your periodontist as well will examine your health and the medications you take. This is vital to ensure that surgery is safe for you.
How it is performed
First, you will receive an injection to numb the area. After that, the periodontist separates the gums from the teeth using scalpel. They will be folded back or lifted in the shape of a flap. This allows the periodontist direct access to the bone and roots supporting the teeth.
The swollen tissue will be taken from any defect in the bone and from between the teeth. The periodontist then will perform a procedure known as scaling and root planing to clean tartar and plaque. Should you have bone defects, your periodontist might remove them. This procedure is known as osseous recontouring. File or rotating burs will be used to smooth the edges of the bone.
Lastly, the gums will be positioned back against the teeth and then stitched in position by stitching. Your periodontist as well might use a bandage to cover the surgical site.
What to expect after surgery?
Usually, it takes just a few days to recover from a flap surgery. The following are common ideas to help speed recovery:
Take painkillers as recommended.
After 24 hours, you may use warm salty water to rinse your mouth gently more than once daily to ease pain and lessen swelling.
Change gauze pads before they get drenched with blood.
Relax after the procedure. Rigorous physical exercise might increase blood loss.
Eat soft foods like light soup, gelatin, or pudding. Slowly include solid foods to your diet as the area heals.
Don't lie flat. This might extend bleeding. Prop up your head using pillows.
Continue to cautiously brush your tongue and teeth.
Apply an ice pack to the outside of your mouth to help ease pain and inflammation.
Don't use sucking motions, like when using a straw to drink.
Don't smoke
Your periodontist will want to reexamine the area in seven to ten days.
When to call a specialist
Contact your periodontist if hemorrhage continues or if the symptoms worsen after the first 3 days. This may be due to an infection.
About Flap Surgery
Key facts to plan your treatment: how long it takes, your hospital stay, anaesthesia, risks and recovery.
Recovery
Information coming soon. Request a consultation for personalized recovery guidance. Get Quote →
Risks
The roots of your teeth might become more sensitive.
The shape or contour of your gums might change.
Gum surgery may introduce harmful microorganisms into the bloodstream. Gum tissue is as well prone to infection. You should take antibiotics before and after an operation if you have a problem, which puts you at high risk for a serious infection or if infections are mainly risky for you. You might need to take antibiotics in case you:
Have certain heart-related illnesses, which make it risky for you to get a heart infection known as endocarditis.
Have a weak immune system.
Had latest major operations or have man-made body parts, like a heart valve or an artificial hip.
After care
Information coming soon. Request a consultation for personalized recovery guidance. Get Quote →
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