FLAP SURGERY AND BONE GRAFTING

What is Periodontal Flap Surgery?

This is a surgical approach to treating gum infections that can achieve multi-fold goals of reducing infection, regenerating lost tissues and avoiding tooth loss.

When do you require flap surgery?

– Advanced / severe gum infections extending into bone and deeper structures
– Infection is not responding to regular treatments
– Grafting of bone defects is needed to restore bone levels

How are flap surgeries done?

Experienced Gum specialists at SSCDS Dental Clinic will explain the entire procedure before starting treatment.

After anaesthesia, gums are folded away from teeth to expose roots and bone. This allows visualization of tartar deposits which can be removed, infectious tissue which can be scraped off and accessibility to bone for grafting to repair defects. The technology of lasers can be used here too to give better outcomes. The procedure is completed when gums are stitched back at original position.

What is bone grafting?

Sometimes, gum disease result in bony defects which, if not treated, can lead to severe loosening of teeth. For their treatment, many biologic materials like bone grafts (bone substitutes), membranes, platelet concentrates, growth factors, stem cells are available to repair these defects. This is called as Regenerative Gum Surgery.

Bone grafts are bone substitute materials which are used to build up new bone in areas of bone defects. They can be natural or synthetic, are safe with no immune reactions in patients.

At SSCDS Dental Clinic, DFDBA, Sybograf and many other alloplasts are available.

How is bone grafting done?

The procedure is same as mentioned above for flap surgery. After thorough cleaning of teeth and bone surfaces, the bone graft material is condensed into the bony defect in sterile conditions. The bony defect area is then closed with stitches, which are removed after 2 weeks. Gradually, the bone graft material will promote new bone formation or act as scaffold on which new bone forms.

What to expect after flap surgery and bone grafting?

Mild pain/discomfort or swelling may be there which can be managed with medications. Some dietary restrictions need to be followed for initial 2-3 days. Patient needs to come back in one or two weeks for stitches removal which is a painless short procedure.

Apart from bone grafting, senior gum specialists at SSCDS Dental Clinic, are highly trained in use of other materials as well for regrowing bone and gums around teeth like membranes, platelet concentrates (PRP, PRF), growth factors (BMP’s, rh-PDGF etc), stem cells and many more, all at very affordable costs to the local population.