Gingival flap surgery
Gingival flap surgery is when gums are separated from the teeth and folded back temporarily. This will allow the dentist to reach the root of the tooth and the bone.
What is gingival flap surgery used for?
Gingival flap surgery is used to treat gum disease or periodontitis. It is recommended for people with moderate to advanced periodontitis. Normally, a treatment without surgery is performed first. This treatment may involve scaling and root planing. If this treatment does not eliminate the gum infection then the gingival flap surgery is used. Gingival flap surgery can also be done alongside osseous surgery or bone surgery.
How do you prepare for a gingival flap surgery?
First, your periodontist or dental hygienist will remove all the plaque and tartar around your teeth. They will ensure that your mouth is clean and oral hygiene is at its best. Your periodontist will evaluate your health and the medications you take. Your periodontist has to make sure that the surgery is safe and that there will be no or as little complications as possible.
How is the gingival flap surgery performed?
After your mouth has been cleaned, you will get a shot of local anaesthesia to numb the area. Your periodontist will use a scalpel to separate the gums from your teeth. They will be lifted or folded back like a flap. This will give the periodontist direct access to the roots and the bone that support the teeth.
Any inflamed tissue will be removed from between the teeth and from any holes or defects in the bone. Scaling and root planing will be performed in order to clean plaque and remove tartar. If you have any bone defects then your periodontist will eliminate them. This procedure is known as osseous recontouring. It will make the edges of the bone smoother by filing and using rotating burs.
After these procedures are completed, the gums will be returned to its original position and stitched back into place. Some periodontists will use sutures that dissolve on their own. Other periodontists will use stitches that have to be removed one to two weeks after the surgery. Your periodontist will cover the surgical site with a bandage known as a periodontal pack or a periodontal dressing.
What should you do after the gingival flap surgery is performed?
You are going to experience some mild to moderate discomfort after the procedure and you may even take prescription painkillers from your periodontist to control it. Most people are already comfortable with an over-the-counter painkiller.
While you are healing, it is important to keep your mouth as clean as possible. You should brush and floss your mouth normally except for the treated area. If there is no dressing on the surgical site then you can remove plaque gently from the teeth using a toothbrush. Antimicrobial mouth rinses with chlorexidine may be prescribed to you after the gum surgery. This will help kill bacteria and help your mouth heal. However, this does not remove plaque.
There will be swelling in the operated area. It can be reduced if you apply an ice pack to the outside of your face just over the treated area. In some cases, antibiotics will be prescribed to prevent any infection. You must take them as instructed. Your periodontist will re-examine the area after a week or two.
What are the risks of gingival flap surgery?
After the surgery, there will be bleeding and swelling. There is a risk that the treated area may become infected. Your gums in the treated area are more likely to recede over time. The teeth that were treated may be more sensitive to changes in temperature. The teeth may also be more susceptible to cavities in the roots.
When should you call a professional?
Bleeding, swelling, and discomfort are normal for the first two days following the procedure. These symptoms should go away after a few days. You should call your periodontist if the bleeding continues or if the symptoms get worse. There may be an infection so it should be treated right away.