When is Flap Surgery Required

When is flap surgery required – All about flap surgery treatment 

Scaling and root planing are nonsurgical methods for treating initial gum diseases. Minor surgical interventions, like flap surgery, effectively manage gum diseases in their advanced stages. Now, the question arises: When is flap surgery required? 

Flap surgery is a procedure to raise a portion of gum tissue called a flap and use it to cover the defects in the supporting bone. If there is advanced bone loss, flap surgery is sometimes combined with bone grafting. In the information provided below, we will briefly discuss the procedure, indications, and aftercare brought to you by Cosmecare Dentistry Mumbai. 

When is it indicated?

The common indications of flap surgery are given below. However, it should be noted that every case is different, and it is in your best interest to get your complete examination done with our experts at Cosmecare Dentistry Mumbai to know your eligibility. 

  • Gums swelling
  • Increased teeth sensitivity due to receding gums
  • Tooth mobility due to loss of supporting bone
  • Chronic Bad breath

Flap surgery purpose – When is flap surgery required?

The primary aim of the surgery is to restore original gum health. The surgery is done under local anesthesia, and the whole process is entirely painless. Various methods exist, such as traditional scalpel blades and laser surgery. At Cosmecare Dentistry Mumbai, we prefer laser flap surgery for its precision and faster healing. Dental lasers are used to raise a flap in a precise way. Healing with lasers is more rapid as no stitches are required.

In this surgical treatment, a flap is pulled, and the diseased area is cleaned thoroughly before packing it back. After cleaning, the flap can be put back into the exact location or moved to cover any denuded root areas to cure the sensitivity problem. Flap surgery is a highly effective way to combat advanced gum diseases.  As an adjunctive procedure, the flap surgery can be combined with other grafting procedures. 

Flap surgery procedure

  • Flap surgery is an entirely painless process performed under local anesthesia. The first step is to numb the gums and surrounding soft tissues. 
  • After anesthesia, an incision is made to separate a flap from the gums. In the case of lasers, there is no incision using a blade; instead, dental lasers allow for precise incisions without damaging the healthy surrounding areas. 
  • The next step is pulling the flap to gain access to the diseased area
  • The infected tissue is removed, and the area is thoroughly cleaned
  • Once the cleaning is done, the flap is secured back to its original position
  • In surgical methods using scalpel blade sutures are give to secure the flap
  • In the case of lasers, there is no need for sutures.

Aftercare instructions

  • Avoid hot and spicy food to avoid irritation of the gums
  • Switch to a soft diet for a week to ensure faster initial healing
  • Take all the prescribed medicines as suggested by our experts
  • Do warm saline rinses after 24hrs of surgery to ensure optimum cleaning of the surgical site
  • Avoid smoking and tobacco consumption to ensure complete healing
  • Attend the follow-up visits for regular monitoring