Flap Surgery in South Africa

This kind of surgery is used to treat gum disease. It might be suited to those with advanced or moderate gum disease. Generally, a treatment, which does not need surgery, is performed first. This is known as root planing or scaling. If this treatment doesn't get rid of the gum infection, gingival flap surgery can be used. It as well might be performed together with another procedure called osseous (bone) surgery.

Your dental hygienist or periodontist will first get rid of all tartar and plaque from around your teeth. He or she will ensure that your oral hygiene is good. Your periodontist as well will examine your health and the medications you take. This is vital to ensure that surgery is safe for you.

• First, you will receive an injection to numb the area. After that, the periodontist separates the gums from the teeth using scalpel. They will be folded back or lifted in the shape of a flap. This allows the periodontist direct access to the bone and roots supporting the teeth.
• The swollen tissue will be taken from any defect in the bone and from between the teeth. The periodontist then will perform a procedure known as scaling and root planing to clean tartar and plaque. Should you have bone defects, your periodontist might remove them. This procedure is known as osseous recontouring. File or rotating burs will be used to smooth the edges of the bone.
• Lastly, the gums will be positioned back against the teeth and then stitched in position by stitching. Your periodontist as well might use a bandage to cover the surgical site.

Usually, it takes just a few days to recover from a flap surgery. The following are common ideas to help speed recovery:

• Take painkillers as recommended.
• After 24 hours, you may use warm salty water to rinse your mouth gently more than once daily to ease pain and lessen swelling.
• Change gauze pads before they get drenched with blood.
• Relax after the procedure. Rigorous physical exercise might increase blood loss.
• Eat soft foods like light soup, gelatin, or pudding. Slowly include solid foods to your diet as the area heals.
• Don't lie flat. This might extend bleeding. Prop up your head using pillows.
• Continue to cautiously brush your tongue and teeth.
• Apply an ice pack to the outside of your mouth to help ease pain and inflammation.
• Don't use sucking motions, like when using a straw to drink.
• Don't smoke

• Your periodontist will want to reexamine the area in seven to ten days.

When to call a specialist

Contact your periodontist if hemorrhage continues or if the symptoms worsen after the first 3 days. This may be due to an infection.