What is it?
Gingival flap surgery is a type of gum procedure. The gums are separated from the teeth and folded back temporarily. This allows us to reach the root of the tooth and the bone.
Gingival flap surgery is used to treat gum disease (periodontitis). It may be recommended for people with moderate or advanced periodontitis. Usually, a treatment that doesn't involve surgery is done first. This is called as scaling and root planning. If this treatment does not eliminate the gum infection, gingival flap surgery may be prescribed. It also may be done along with another procedure known as osseous (bone) surgery.
We will first remove all plaque and tartar (calculus) from around your teeth. We also will evaluate your health and the medicines you take. This is important to make sure that surgery is safe for you.
You will have mild to moderate discomfort after the procedure. You will be prescribe pain medicine to control it. It is very important for you to keep your mouth as clean as possible while the surgical site is healing. This means you should brush and floss the rest of your mouth normally.
Antimicrobial mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine are prescribed after gum surgery. These rinses kill bacteria, delay plaque growth and help your mouth to heal. You may have some swelling. This can be reduced if you apply an ice pack to the outside of your face in the treated area.
