Flap Procedure For Periodontal Disease

This procedure used to be recommended when the “periodontal pockets” were too deep and the disease had progressed beyond gingivitis. Periodontal disease progresses when bacteria and plaque build up between the teeth and the gum line. The pocket depth increases and bacteria can begin to attack the root if not taken care of. More severe periodontal surgery methods may become necessary at this point in order to protect the teeth, gums and roots of the teeth.

Flap procedure requires your periodontist to make an incision at the gum line. Once the incision is made they will pull back the gum and scrape out the area that is infected. Once the area is cleaned out they will put the gum back, suture the area and apply a dressing to protect the area. This procedure takes a significant amount of time and can be somewhat uncomfortable afterwards. The amount of time that it will take to complete this procedure depends on how many infected areas you have. This procedure allows the periodontist to have direct contact with the roots of the teeth and below the gum line.

A topical agent may be used by in order to clean up the area and to prevent further infection. It will be placed directly on the inside of the gum before the gum is sutured back in place. Once the procedure is completed you may experience some discomfort, swelling and bleeding.

Periodontist Dr. Rice and her team recommend LANAP surgery instead of this type of surgery because it is not as painful, the recovery time is less and there are no sutures required.