Flap surgery has proven to be the best method for resolving periodontitis.
Periodontitis is a disease of the supporting structures of the teeth, meaning the connection between the tooth root and the bone. Initially, it manifests as gum inflammation, later leading to bone loss, and in the final stages, tooth mobility and loss. Dental calculus (tartar) is the main cause of periodontitis, and its presence necessitates flap surgery. You can read more about this in the educational article on periodontitis.
Flap surgery is applied in the advanced stages of periodontitis. It involves a surgical method where the gums are lifted and pathological changes are removed. If there is significant bone loss and tooth mobility, artificial bone and membranes must be inserted to compensate for the bone defects. It is important to note that periodontitis cannot be cured, but the progression of the disease can be halted. With good oral hygiene and regular check-ups, periodontitis can be maintained at the post-intervention level. The bone level cannot be raised to what it once was, but further bone loss can be stopped.
We often advise that after flap surgery, your teeth be splinted together if we determine that this is the best solution for your current condition, as this stabilizes the teeth and prevents further loosening. A periodontal pocket (PDP) is the space between the gums and the teeth where deposits full of bacteria accumulate. These bacteria release toxins that cause gum inflammation and destroy the bone structures holding the tooth. Periodontitis usually does not cause symptoms or causes minimal symptoms, with no pain.
In periodontal surgery, one of the fundamental procedures is flap surgery. Cleaning the bone pockets and applying artificial bone leads to the formation of new bone and regeneration of the periodontal apparatus.