Overcome Advanced Gum Disease with Gum Flap Surgery
Gum flap surgery in Mississauga, Ontario, is a surgical procedure for treating advanced gum disease. Family Dental Care Mississauga offers comprehensive periodontal treatments, and we are excited to restore your gum health with flap surgery. Schedule an appointment with our team to determine if gum flap surgery is best for your oral health needs.
What is gum flap surgery?
Your gum tissues fit around your teeth like a turtleneck sweater. When you have advanced gum disease, the harmful bacteria damage the gum and bone tissue, forming “deep pockets” around teeth. These pockets grow deeper and become good hiding spots for plaque, tartar, bacteria, and other offending substances. Gum flap surgery creates a suitable environment to maintain your periodontal health.
Here is what you can expect from gum flap surgery:
- Creating a flap: The dentist makes a small incision on the gums to separate them from the teeth. Then, the gum tissue is gently lifted or “folded” back to give access to the roots of the teeth and the surrounding bone.
- Cleaning: The tooth roots are thoroughly cleaned, removing deep-seated plaque, tartar, and bacteria that cannot be reached through regular cleaning methods. If needed, the area may be treated with antibiotics or other medications.
- Closing the flap: If the bone is damaged, it may be smoothed or reshaped, and bone grafts might be placed to encourage regeneration. Once cleaning and repairs are complete, the gum tissue is repositioned snugly around the teeth to reduce the depth of the pockets and prevent future bacterial buildup.
- Aftercare: Your treatment takes about two hours. After treatment, the dentist will give post-op instructions to minimize pain and promote seamless recovery. We’ll also schedule check-in appointments to monitor your treatment progress. Â
Gum flap surgery sounds intimidating, but not in our office. We use powerful anesthetics to minimize pain during treatment. Also, we provide several sedation dentistry options to ensure you enjoy a stress-free dental experience.
Why is gum flap surgery necessary?
Sometimes, gum disease is too severe to be treated with deep teeth cleaning or antibiotics. In these advanced stages, the infection has typically caused significant damage to the gums, teeth, and even the underlying bone structure. This is where gum flap surgery becomes necessary.
Here are the goals of gum flap surgery:
- Prevents tooth loss: This surgical procedure eliminates deep pockets that hide harmful deposits. When we address the deep pockets and infection, the teeth have a better chance of staying firmly anchored.
- Reduces inflammation: Removing bacteria and infected tissue helps eliminate swelling, tenderness, and discomfort.
- Promotes healing: Gum flap surgery provides better access to the roots for effective cleaning. With cleaner roots and reduced pockets, the gums can heal more effectively.
- Improves oral hygiene: Smaller pockets make it easier to maintain proper oral care at home, reducing the risk of re-infection.
- Improves smile aesthetics: Flap surgery addresses gum recession and inflammation, improving the overall appearance of your smile.
Do you need gum flap surgery?
Our team in Mississauga, ON, has a remarkable track record of administering advanced periodontal treatments. To learn more about gum surgery and other periodontal treatments, call (289) 813-3441. Whether you have mild or severe gum disease, you can trust your smile to Family Dental Care Mississauga.
