If you have severe gum disease, you may notice pockets of tartar residue between your teeth and gums. These pockets are spaces that open up around your teeth and below your gumline, making room for harmful bacteria to enter and eat away at your gum tissue.
When your dentist notices that you have these pockets, they may recommend gum flap surgery. Gum flap surgery could be an option if antibiotics or scaling and root planing can no longer deal with the disease.
Gum Flap Surgery
Gum flap surgery is a common procedure that involves making a small flap-like cut in your gum tissue. Then, your dentist removes the infected tissue from the pockets in your gum. Once the infected area is out, the dentist sutures your gums back into place.
Your gum tissue slowly attaches itself back firmly around your teeth as you recover. Then, it will be easier to clean your teeth and gums.
Before Surgery
A few weeks before the surgery, you may need to avoid pain relievers, blood thinners, aspirin, and other medications. Also, you may need to avoid smoking or drinking alcohol for at least a day or two before the procedure.
To reduce your risk of getting an infection before the surgery, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic. Have a family member or a friend drive you home after the surgery. The sedation, anesthesia, or other medicines you take during the surgery may affect your response time. That means you may not be fit to drive yourself afterward.
Also, follow your dentist’s guidelines on preparing for the surgery.
During Surgery
Your dentist may use a scaling instrument or other hand devices to make tiny cuts deep into your gum tissue. The cuts will create an opening that looks like an envelope’s flap.
Then, your dentist will open the flap, remove plaque and tartar, repair any lost bone, and fix the gum tissue. At the end of the procedure, the dentist will close the flap using dissolvable sews.
After Surgery
After the procedure, your dentist may prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics to ease any pain and discomfort. You may need to avoid brushing or flossing the treated area until it recovers. But you can continue cleaning the rest of your teeth as usual.
Also, your dentist may plan a follow-up consultation a week after the surgery. This is mostly to make sure that you are healing suitably.
Risks
Possible risks of gum flap surgery include:
Gums pulling back from your teeth and exposing your teeth roots (gum recession)
Root decay and possible loss of jawbone
Also, if you bleed for more than 48 hours after the surgery, you can get an infection. See your dentist immediately if this happens. Additionally, follow-up appointments can help track your recovery process and ensure that you are not developing other complications.
Are You a Good Candidate for Gum Flap Surgery?
Gum flap surgery may be suitable for you if you have gum disease that does not respond to antibiotics or scaling and root planing. Your dentist can also examine your oral and general health to determine if the procedure is appropriate for you.
For more information on gum flap surgery or to see if you need it, contact Marine Park Periodontics and Implantology at our office in Brooklyn, New York by calling (646) 863-4810 today.
