Flap Surgery

Flap surgery is a periodontal operation used to treat moderate to advanced gum disease by lifting the gum tissue away from the teeth to expose root surfaces and the supporting bone. This approach lets the clinician remove plaque and calculus from deep periodontal pockets, inspect and smooth diseased root surfaces, and, when necessary, reshape bone or place grafting material to encourage reattachment and reduce pocket depth.

The procedure is usually performed under local anaesthesia and involves making a small incision to create a flap, thoroughly cleaning the exposed areas, and then suturing the gum back into a position that promotes healing; recovery commonly includes mild discomfort, swelling, and short-term changes in sensitivity. Risks include bleeding, infection, gum recession, and incomplete restoration of lost attachment, so less invasive measures such as scaling and root planing are often attempted first and follow-up care is important to monitor healing and maintain periodontal health.