Gingival Flap Surgery

This is a procedure that is used to treat periodontitis, otherwise known as gum disease. Dental professionals may recommend gingival flap surgery for patients with moderate to advanced gum disease. Initially, a scaling and root planning procedure that is non-surgical may be carried out to solve the issue. Gingival flap surgery will be suggested if this initial treatment is unsuccessful in eliminating the problem.

Gingival flap surgery will be carried out by the periodontist, a gum disease specialist. The first step is to numb the infected area with an injection. In order to give the periodontist direct access to both the roots and the bone supporting your teeth, a scalpel will be used to separate the teeth from the gums. In order to form a flap, the gums will be lifted or folded back. After this is complete, the inflamed tissue with be removed from between the teeth and any holes in the bone.

The next step is to carry out scaling and root planning, this helps to clean away any tartar and plaque. If your periodontist notices any bone defects they may eliminate them by osseous re-contouring, a process which smooths down the edges of your bone.
To complete the procedure, the gums will then be placed back against the teeth and stitched firmly into place. Your stitches may vary dependent on the periodontist carrying out the procedure, some use stitches that dissolved on their own, others will use stitches that need to be removed up to 10 days later. Your periodontist may also cover the surgical site in order to protect it during the healing process

You may experience some discomfort or pain after the procedure, this is something that is completely normal. Some swelling may also be expected, but both of these symptoms usually diminish after a couple of days.

During the healing period after undergoing gingival flap surgery it is incredibly important that you keep your mouth as clean as you can. Make sure you brush and floss the rest of your mouth as you normally would. If the surgical site has not been covered by a periodontal pack, simply use a toothbrush to remove plaque as gently as possible from your teeth. In order to help you mouth to hear, kill unfriendly bacteria, and delay the growth of plaque, antimicrobial mouth rinses are often prescribed after this kind of gum surgery.

The cost of gum disease treatment depends on the severity of your case. It can cost anywhere between £200 to £5000.