Flap Surgery

A flap procedure cleans the roots of a tooth and repairs bone damage caused by gum disease. A gum specialist (periodontist) or an oral surgeon often performs the procedure. Before the procedure, you will be given a local anesthetic to numb (freeze) the area where the doctor will work on your gums.

A flap procedure is typically recommended for patients with moderate to severe gum disease, or periodontitis, that has not responded to non-surgical treatments such as scaling and root planing. This treatment can remove built-up plaque and tartar around the roots and restore the health of gum tissue. In some cases, an additional procedure can be performed at the same time to repair bone tissue affected by gum disease.