Flap Surgery
Saving teeth and restoring gum health when gum disease has gone too far for a deep cleaning.
Treating Gum Disease That's Gone Beyond a Deep Clean
When gum disease is caught early, a deep cleaning — scaling and root planing — is usually enough to turn things around. But if the disease has been there for a while, the pockets between your teeth and gums may be too deep to clean from above. That's where flap surgery comes in.
Flap surgery (sometimes called pocket reduction surgery) lets Dr. Carroll gently lift the gums away from the teeth, clean out the bacteria and tartar that have built up underneath, and then secure the gums back in place. The result: shallower pockets, healthier gums, and a much better chance of keeping your teeth long-term.
When Flap Surgery Is Recommended
Dr. Carroll might recommend flap surgery if you have:
- Deep pockets between your teeth and gums (typically 5mm or more)
- Bone loss around your teeth from gum disease
- Gum disease that hasn't responded to deep cleaning
- Loose teeth caused by advanced periodontal disease
- Persistent inflammation despite home care
What Happens During the Procedure
Flap surgery sounds intimidating, but it's a routine procedure for Dr. Carroll. Here's what to expect:
- 1Dr. Carroll thoroughly numbs the area being treated. You'll be comfortable throughout the procedure.
- 2A small incision is made along the gum line, allowing the gum tissue to be gently lifted away from the teeth. This gives Dr. Carroll a clear view of the roots and the bone beneath.
- 3All the plaque, tartar, and infected tissue is carefully removed. Damaged bone is smoothed if needed. In some cases, bone grafting material is added to help rebuild lost bone.
- 4The gum tissue is repositioned snugly against the teeth and secured with small stitches. The shallower the resulting pockets, the easier they are to keep clean going forward.
The whole procedure typically takes 1 to 2 hours, depending on how many areas need to be treated.
Recovery and Aftercare
Most patients are surprised at how manageable recovery is. You can expect:
- Some swelling and tenderness for a few days
- Mild discomfort manageable with over-the-counter pain medication
- A soft food diet for about a week
- Stitches that dissolve on their own (or get removed in a quick visit)
- Most people back to normal activities within a few days
Done Right Here in Spooner
A lot of dental offices send patients to a periodontist (a gum specialist) for flap surgery — which means a referral, a new office, and a higher cost. Dr. Carroll performs flap surgery here at River Street Dental. You don't have to drive somewhere new or work with a stranger for this kind of care.
We'll always be honest with you about whether your case is something we should treat in-house or whether a specialist would be the right call. Most cases, we handle them ourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will flap surgery hurt?
We numb the area thoroughly before we start, so you won't feel anything during the procedure. Some swelling and tenderness for a few days afterward is normal — over-the-counter pain medication is usually enough to manage it. Most patients find it more manageable than they expected.
How long is recovery?
Most patients feel mostly back to normal within a week. Full healing takes a few weeks. We'll give you detailed aftercare instructions and check in to make sure you're healing well.
Will I lose any teeth?
The whole point of flap surgery is to save your teeth — by treating the gum disease that would otherwise cause them to be lost. In most cases, we can save teeth that would have been lost without treatment.
Can I avoid flap surgery?
Sometimes. If your gum disease is caught early, scaling and root planing alone may be enough. Flap surgery is usually recommended when gum disease has progressed to the point where deep cleaning isn't enough on its own.
If you've been told you need flap surgery — or you've been dealing with gum disease that isn't getting better — let's talk. We'll walk you through your options and give you an honest assessment of what's needed.
Schedule a Consultation
Concerned about your gums? Let's take a look and figure out the right treatment together.
Book AppointmentPerformed In-House
Dr. Carroll performs flap surgery here in our office. No referrals to a specialist, no driving to another town.
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