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What is gum flap surgery? Question

Gum flap surgery, also called pocket reduction surgery, treats moderate to advanced periodontitis. The periodontist lifts the gums back, removes tartar and bacteria, smooths damaged bone, and puts the gums back in place with stitches. This lets the gum tissue reattach to healthy bone.

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What to know

  • It is often combined with a bone graft.
  • Recovery from flap surgery is about one to four weeks.
  • Guided tissue regeneration can be added to help lost bone grow back.

Sources

  1. Cleveland Clinic: Gum Disease Treatment
  2. AAP: Surgical Procedures

Reviewed by , Director of IT and Medical Compliance: 25 years in dentistry, medicine and HIPAA compliance. Updated . Checked against the sources listed. General information, not medical advice.

Treatment and surgery Read next

Can receding gums grow back?No. Receding gums cannot grow back, and recession cannot be reversed.What are the downsides of a gum graft?The main risks of a gum graft are infection, heavy bleeding and graft failure.What can be done instead of a gum graft?The pinhole surgical technique is one option.What mouthwash helps with gum disease?An antimicrobial mouthwash can help kill the bacteria that cause gum disease.Am I a candidate for LANAP?Good candidates for LANAP have moderate to severe periodontitis with pockets of 5 mm or more that remain after deep cleaning, and want to keep their teeth without cutting and stitches.Does gum surgery hurt?Gum surgery is done under local anesthetic, so the procedure itself should not hurt; many offices add oral or IV sedation.