Gum flap surgery
flap surgery · gum surgery · deep cleaning of gum pockets
The doctor carefully lifts the gum and cleans the tooth roots of tartar and inflammation. Then the gum is put back and stitched.
For gum disease with deep pockets, when regular cleaning does not help.
⏱ Duration: usually 1 to 2 hours
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Cleaning. A professional teeth cleaning is usually done before the surgery.
- Food. Eat 1 to 2 hours before the surgery.
- The day before. No alcohol. It is better to stop smoking beforehand, so ask your doctor.
What to bring
- An ID
- X-rays of your teeth
- A list of your medicines
How it goes
- Numbing is given by injection
- The doctor makes small cuts and lifts the gum
- Removes tartar and inflamed tissue from the roots
- Sometimes places material to rebuild the bone
- The gum is put back and stitched
What you'll feel
- The injection is unpleasant, then pressure and the sounds of instruments
- Afterward, pain and swelling for a few days, and you are given a painkiller
- Your teeth may be sensitive to cold
Afterwards
- Hold a cold pack on your cheek for the first hours, with breaks
- Soft, not hot, food for a few days
- Do not brush the surgery area until your doctor allows
- Rinse your mouth as your doctor prescribed
- Stitches are usually removed after 1 to 2 weeks
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Bleeding does not stop when you press with gauze
- A fever over 38°C (100.4°F), or swelling that grows after day 3
- Swelling spreads to the neck, or trouble swallowing or breathing: call emergency services
Common questions
Why did my gum recede after surgery?
This happens when the inflammation goes away. Your doctor will say what can be done.
Can I smoke afterward?
Better not to: smoking slows gum healing.