Periodontal flap surgery is a procedure in which the gums are separated from the teeth and folded back temporarily to allow a dentist to reach the root of the tooth and the bone. Gum surgery is performed to gain access to the roots of the teeth in cases where non-surgical procedures fail to maintain the periodontal (gum) health. Gum surgeries lift the gums to allow visualization and gain access to the root to eliminate gum infection to restore health, beauty and function of the gums.
Clinical signs for gum surgery are foul odor from mouth, red and swollen or bleeding gums. It is indicated in severe gum diseases, wherein the gums get inflamed up to an extent where they start causing destruction of the bone and tissues surrounding it. Inflammation of gums further leads to the development of pockets or spaces between the gums and the teeth which trap the food and bacteria and cause infection. This eventually causes tooth loss and bone damage.
Sometimes the gum surgery also involves the grafting procedures like:
Bone Grafting
This procedure replaces the damaged or destroyed bone surrounding the root of the tooth with new bone.
Tissue Grafting
This procedure is used in case of gum recession wherein gum line is noticeably lowered or aesthetically not pleasing.
At Perfect Dental® in Jamnagar, we have specialist gum surgeon called Periodontologist. We use magnification loupes to perform precise and accurate surgery. Perfect Dental® is the best dental clinic in Jamnagar, where we also provide the option of laser gum surgery which is less traumatic, blood less and painless compared to the conventional gum surgeries performed with blades. Laser gum surgeries are less invasive and therefore ensure faster healing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gum Surgery And Their Answers
How painful is gum flap surgery?
Most patients experience some discomfort after a flap procedure. Depending on your needs, we may prescribe pain medication. It is important to relax after surgery, as strenuous activity may cause the treated area to bleed. A flap procedure can save teeth affected by gum disease.
Is gum flap surgery necessary?
The flap procedure is necessary when severe gum disease (periodontitis) has damaged the bones that support your teeth.
Do gums grow back after flap surgery?
A flap procedure is often needed to save teeth that are supported by a bone damaged by gum disease. Gum disease usually will come back if you do not brush and floss regularly after surgery.
Can I go to work after gum surgery?
Do not floss or brush the gum line that was repaired until the area has healed. While it may take a week or two for your mouth to fully heal, you should be able to return to work or normal activity the day after surgery.
What happens after flap surgery?
It is important to relax after surgery, as strenuous activity may cause the treated area to bleed. For the first 24 hours, you can rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water to relieve pain and reduce swelling. Typically, it only takes a few days to recover from flap surgery.
Does flap surgery work?
One major objective of flap surgery is to eliminate or reduce the pocket itself. Afterward, the “flap” is closed, sealing the area. This begins the healing process, which takes place rapidly. Another goal is the regeneration of periodontal ligament and bone tissue which may have been lost to the disease.
How long do stitches stay in after gum graft surgery?
Stitches (if present) will dissolve in approximately 7-10 days. They may come loose or fall out before your first post-operative visit. As long as there is no continuous bleeding, discomfort or pain, this is not a cause for concern. If you have been given non-dissolving stitches, you will have to come to our dental center after 7 days for its removal, unless advised otherwise.
Can bone regenerate after periodontal disease?
Bone is lost from around a tooth due to many different disease processes. One common way that bone is lost is down to gum disease. Gum disease eventually makes teeth loose and fall out. It used to be thought that re-growing bone around teeth was impossible due to not being able to make the periodontal ligament regrow.
Is salt water good for gum disease?
The results of a 2016 study showed that using a salt water rinse can be very beneficial in healing gums inflamed by gingivitis. Salt is a natural disinfectant that helps your body to heal itself. Salt water may also soothe inflamed gums.
Do periodontal pockets heal?
When periodontal pockets do not heal after scaling and root planing, surgery may be needed to better remove inflamed tissues and reduce the damage to the bone that has formed around the teeth. As the pockets enlarge, they provide a greater place for bacteria to live and attack the bone and tissue.
Do I need to floss if I use a Waterpik?
Yes. Keep in mind that water flossers are only an adjunct to brushing and flossing. If you only use water flossers and don’t floss you can still get cavities in between your teeth. You need to break the contact between your teeth with floss.
How many times a day should you use a Waterpik?
You should use your Waterpik® Water Flosser at least once per day. To maintain good oral health, the American Dental Association recommends that you floss at least once per day and brush your teeth at least twice per day.
Will a Waterpik help with receding gums?
Any type of periodontal disease treatment requires good daily care at home. The Waterpik® Water Flosser is clinically proven to remove plaque and improve gum health.
Can patients use mouthwash, Chlorhexidine, or Listerine in the Waterpik® Water Flosser?
At Perfect Dental® our specialist doctors recommend using warm water. However, patients can use certain agents with the Water Flosser such as small amount of mouthwash can be added to the water for flavoring and/or to enhance compliance.
Should you Waterpik before or after brushing?
Be sure to allow the water to empty from your mouth into the sink. The ideal time to use a Waterpik is before you brush your teeth. This is because doing so can allow you to remove food debris and plaque. When you use a Waterpik before brushing your teeth, teeth brushing becomes more effective.
Following is a guide to what you should expect and what care or precautions you should take after Periodontal Flap Surgery:
What You Should Expect
- It is common to experience mild pain and/or swelling for approximately 3 days. If pain and/or swelling persist for more than 3 days, please contact us.
- If you experience severe pain and/or swelling, contact us immediately.
- Use ice pack or cold pack as directed for reducing swelling.
- Small blood spots while spitting or minor bleeding for a day or two is common after oral surgeries. If there is a profuse (excessive) bleeding, please contact us immediately.
- If the procedure was done under local anesthesia, you may feel numbness for 3-4 hours in certain parts of your mouth and face. If numbness persists for more than 12 hours, please contact us.
- You may experience facial muscle soreness due to excessive opening of mouth. Contact us and we will determine if you need any medication for the same. Use warm towel pack or hot water bag to apply on area of muscle soreness only after 72 hours.
- Practice opening and closing of mouth (unless advised otherwise) after 24 hours. It is essential to keep your facial muscle moving.
- If you have been given sutures (stitches) you will have to come to our dental center after 7 days for its removal, unless advised otherwise.
What Care Or Precautions You Should Take
- If you have been given the gauze dressing then keep the gauze dressing pressed with your opposing teeth or lips and cheeks for 1 hour.
- It is essential to keep the gauze dressing pressed so do not speak or try to eat or drink anything for 1 hour till gauze dressing is in mouth.
- Remove the gauze dressing exactly after 1 hour of its placement.
- Do not go to sleep while gauze is in mouth.
- Once you remove gauze dressing after 1 hour and if the bleeding has stopped, you can take 1 cup of ice cream (plain vanilla is preferable), juice or milkshake and take medication as directed to avoid pain after the anesthesia wears off.
- Once you remove gauze dressing after 1 hour, if there is persistent profuse (excessive) bleeding, place a new gauze dressing and keep it pressed with your opposing teeth or lips and cheeks and contact us immediately.
- Avoid hot food and drinks like very hot tea or coffee for first 24 hours and preferably 48 hours.
- Eat soft and cold diet that does not require too much chewing.
- Avoid crunchy foods like chips for 1 week.
- Do not use straw for drinking any liquids for 48 hours.
- Do not drink carbonated drinks for 1 week.
- Use opposite side of your mouth for chewing and not the side from where tooth is removed at least for 48 hours.
- If surgery was done on both sides of mouth or full mouth, for the first 48 hours take grinded food processed in a grinder so that you can swallow it without much chewing and start taking regular soft diet after 48 hours of surgery.
- Avoid smoking and tobacco chewing strictly for first 48 hours.
- Do not spit, rinse or gargle for first 24 hours after surgery.
- If anesthesia was given in lower jaw then please avoid eating anything until the anesthesia wears off and the numbness is gone.
- Do not brush or floss for the first 24 hours after surgery.
- Continue gentle brushing and flossing twice daily only after 24 hours of procedure. Care should be taken to avoid rinsing forcefully after brushing. Good oral hygiene is a key to success of treatment.
- Gently Rinse your mouth with water after every meal after 48 hours of surgery.
- You should “lay low” for one to two weeks. Minimal activities with bed rest are recommended. Do not work out at the gym or play sports activities for at least 3 weeks.
- The surgical sites will take a few weeks to completely heal up. However you should gradually return to normal function within one to two weeks.
- If you have been prescribed any medication, take it regularly according to prescription and do not alter the schedule or duration of medication without consulting your dentist.
- If you have been given sutures (stitches) care should be taken to not to pull them out while chewing and brushing.
You should contact us immediately if you notice any of the following:
– Bleeding is profuse (choking on blood).
– Bleeding is continuous (still changing bright red gauze after 24 hours).
– Severe pain not well controlled by medications.
– Rash, hives or difficulty breathing after taking the medications that suggest an allergic reactions.
– Persistent fever lasting more than 24 hours.
– Discharge coming out from the surgical site.Perfect Dental® is the best dental clinic in Jamnagar and our team of specialist doctors is highly skilled and experienced best dentists in Jamnagar. We have a highest success rate of 97%.