Periodontal Surgery

Periodontal surgery is treatment for any gum disease that remains after your dentist has cleaned your teeth. Gum disease is caused by the germs (bacteria) which live in your mouth. The bacteria stick to your teeth, irritate the gums and make them bleed. Gum disease can eventually destroy the
gum and bone which support your teeth.
You will have already received some treatment for your gum disease. This would have included teaching you how to clean your teeth thoroughly to remove the germs (plaque) above the gum. The dentist or hygienist will have cleaned (scaled) your teeth to remove tartar and plaque above the gum. But you still have some gum disease remaining which needs periodontal surgery to treat the gums and surrounding teeth and bone.

When periodontal pockets develop, the first step in treating them is usually via cleaning and scaling (also referred to as root debridement) with a manual or ultrasonic instrument. If this isn’t effective, then periodontal surgery is considered. Flap surgery isn’t a cure for periodontal disease — but it helps create an environment that makes it easier to maintain your periodontal health. And even if you’re prone to gum disease, proper professional treatment and regular care at home can help keep your teeth healthy for as long as possible.

The Flap Surgery Procedure

Flap surgery is typically done under local anesthesia, sometimes accompanied by oral anti-anxiety medications; alternatively, it may be performed under intravenous conscious sedation. After anesthesia has taken effect, a small incision is made to separate the gums from the teeth. The outer gum tissue is gently folded back to give access to the roots and the supporting ligament and bone tissue

Next, the inflamed gum tissue can be removed, and the tooth roots can be cleaned; if needed, the area may also be treated with antibiotics or other medications. Bone defects can be repaired with grafting material, and proper regeneration of the periodontal ligament can be encouraged by physical (barrier membranes) and chemical (growth factors) methods. Finally, the incision is closed and the procedure is completed.

Performed by an experienced hand, state-of-the-art flap surgery has an excellent track record and offers well-established benefits. It’s often the treatment of choice for relieving periodontal disease and helping to maintain your oral health — and preserve your teeth