Flap Surgery

During this procedure the gums are lifted back and the tarter is removed. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. The gums are then placed so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth. This method reduces the size of the space between the gum and tooth, thereby decreasing the areas where harmful bacteria can grow and decreasing the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease. Periodontal flap surgery describes the state of-the-art techniques and most commonly used approach to the surgical treatment and plastic surgical repair of periodontal pockets. “Pocketing” is the end result of inflammation and infection that causes the loss of tissue attachment to the teeth, one common consequence of periodontal (gum) disease. Treatment is based on an understanding of the disease process, the interaction between the bacterial biofilm or plaque collections at the gum line and the immune (resistance) system in a person susceptible to (likely to get) this disease. The long-term goal of periodontal surgery is to help increase the life expectancy of the teeth. It is not a cure, but rather creates an environment that makes it easier to maintain health. Treatment is therefore aimed at controlling the basic cause — the bacterial biofilm — over a lifetime. Vigilance in home care and regular periodontal recall cleanings and monitoring are necessary to ensure success.