About Dental Flap Surgery

Our team can help you treat gum disease with modern techniques when you visit Family Dentistry, Inc. Depending on your oral health needs, our dentists may recommend a procedure known as flap surgery.

What is Dental Flap Surgery?

Flap surgery is often used to treat advanced stages of gum disease, or periodontitis, when nonsurgical procedures become insufficient. To help you prepare for flap surgery, a member of our team will remove the plaque and tartar around your teeth and evaluate your oral hygiene to ensure your mouth is suitable for surgery.

The Dental Flap Surgery Process

At the beginning of the procedure, your dentist will provide you with an anesthetic to numb the affected area. Then, they will fold back the gums to access the roots of the teeth and the jawbone. The dentist will remove any inflamed gum tissue or weakened bone before performing a deep cleaning procedure known as scaling and root planing. Osseous surgery to treat any existing bone defects may also be recommended. Your dentist will then place the gums against the teeth and stitch them up.

Following your surgery, our team will provide you with in-depth post-surgical instructions to care for your mouth while it heals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why might I need flap surgery?

Flap surgery is typically recommended for patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease. If deep pockets have formed around the teeth and nonsurgical treatments (such as scaling and root planing) are no longer effective, flap surgery may be needed to prevent further bone loss and stabilize your oral health.

Is flap surgery painful?

Most patients experience little to no discomfort during the procedure due to the use of local anesthesia. Mild soreness or swelling afterward is normal and can be managed with prescribed pain relievers, cold compresses, and our post-operative care instructions.

How long is the recovery period?

Recovery typically takes 7 to 10 days, although healing may continue for several weeks. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the healing process and remove sutures as needed.

Will my gums look different after surgery?

Gums may appear slightly reshaped or receded after healing due to the reduction of periodontal pockets. This is a normal outcome and often helps improve long-term oral health.

How can I prevent periodontal disease after flap surgery?

Good oral hygiene is essential. This includes brushing twice daily, flossing, using recommended mouth rinses, and attending regular professional cleanings. We may also suggest periodontal maintenance visits more frequently than routine checkups.

Learn More About Dental Flap Surgery

If you have any questions about receiving flap surgery near Franklin or Lebanon, OH, please call 513-932-6991 to speak with a member of our team.