What Is Gum Flap Surgery?

A Unique But Important Surgery

Gum inflammation can cause extensive damage to your gum and underlying bone, and your dentist would need to stop the disease from progressing. At the dental office, your dentist would try to treat this inflammation conservatively, but if these measures are not working effectively, then your dentist would need to intervene surgically.  

In the following article, we will explain gum surgery in detail, their types, and what to expect post-operatively. 

What Is Gum Flap Surgery?

Gum inflammation progression would harm the ligaments that hold your tooth in its place, if left untreated this can eventually lead to tooth loss. If scaling and root planning are not working, then gum flap surgery is indicted.

Gum flap surgery is the key treatment for advanced gum disease. Its primary aim is to keep healthy gum and bone. Removing any built-up bacterial plaque or calculus around the root of your teeth, especially in inaccessible areas in the mouth, thus improve the health of the gum and repair damaged bone. In addition, treating gum recession enhances the appearance and reduces sensitivity. These types of procedures are performed by a gum specialist (periodontist) or an oral surgeon. 

Who Is A Good Candidate For Gum Flap Surgery?

Loose teeth, bad breath, bleeding gums, and severe receding gums, all can be major diagnostic signs of gum disease. Your periodontist would need to examine your mouth and record the depth of your gum pockets, by performing a thorough examination they could determine the degree of gum inflammation. Mild to moderate stages of gum inflammation would typically only respond to gum flap surgery as a treatment option. 

Types of Gum Flap Surgery

There are many types of gum flap surgery, and your dentist Dr. Eric Wendelschafer would choose the right procedure depending on the condition of your gum. There are several different types of surgery:

Gum flap surgery

‍an incision is made within the gum, in which the gum would be carefully lifted to expose the root of teeth so the dentist could clean any accumulated deposits. After the dentist is finished cleaning, they would bring back the gum into its place using simple stitches. ‍

Tissue grafting

‍is used as a treatment for receding gums. Typically the dentist would take a tissue graft from the patient’s palate and reattach it to where the gum has receded. ‍

Bone grafting

‍in the advanced, staged of gum inflammation, the bone that holds the teeth would be damaged, thus a bone grafting procedure is indicated. A bone graft that is taken either from the patient, donated, or manufactured would be placed where the jaw bone has been damaged, aiming to strengthen the bone. ‍

Guided tissue regeneration

a mesh-like material used as a barrier, it would be placed between the patina’s gum and bone to help the gum to regrow and reattach at the appropriate sites. 

Recovery Period, What To Expect and What To Do

As with any mouth surgery, pain, swelling, and a minimum degree of bleeding are expected, yet they would typically disappear after a couple of days. For the pain, over-the-counter painkillers would be sufficient, while ice packs would help reduce the swelling and the amount of bleeding.

For the next couple of days, eat soft food and drink plenty of fluids. Brushing and flossing should be practiced as gently as possible around the site of surgery. While smoking, using a straw, and spitting all should be avoided until your gums have fully healed.'

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Visit our contact us page to learn more from our expert dental team in Surprise, AZ at Great Smiles AZ! Dr. Eric Wendelschafer is well-versed in all areas of general dentistry and is here to help you get back to smiling and enjoying your day-to-day life. Don't hesitate, contact us today!