Dominion Street Dental in Alliston, ON offers Periodontal Open Flap Debridement

Periodontal disease is an aggressive condition that, when left untreated, can cause irreversible damage to the gum tissue and bone structure that protect the teeth and hold them in place. At Dominion Street Dental in Alliston, ON, we offer comprehensive periodontal treatment that restores oral health and appearance to the smile. One of the procedures that we offer is periodontal open flap debridement also called periodontal flap surgery.

Alliston, ON dentist explains Periodontal Open Flap Debridement

When gum disease advances, the ligaments and bone tissue that surround the teeth are slowly destroyed, putting your teeth at risk. If the gum disease cannot be effectively controlled with manual cleaning and scaling, your Alliston dentist may recommend periodontal flap surgery.

This treatment is usually recommended when the periodontal pockets are considered especially deep (>5mm). Periodontal pockets are areas below the gum line where the tissue has separated from the teeth and become a haven for trapping harmful bacteria that continue to grow. As the bacteria continue to accumulate, the gum tissue becomes swollen and sensitive, often resulting in bleeding and pain.

During flap surgery treatment, an access flap is made in the gingival tissue, allowing the dentist access to the diseased tissue inside the pocket. Once the infection is removed, the surfaces of the tooth root are cleaned to eliminate any buildup of plaque and tartar. Once this is complete, the flap is closed, and the area can begin to heal.

If bone tissue loss has occurred, bone preservation or bone grafting may be done to restore the gum tissue and its ability to support the secure anchoring of teeth.

Flap surgery treatment is done under local anesthetic.

After flap surgery treatment

The entire purpose of flap surgery is to control the cause of periodontal disease and improve the health of the gum tissue and underlying bone. Following treatment, it’s important to practice good oral hygiene as well as routine professional dental care to maintain periodontal health.

If you are in the Alliston, ON, area and have untreated gum disease, it’s important to seek treatment to prevent tooth loss. Call Dominion Street Dental today to learn more about periodontal open flap debridement and other forms of periodontal treatment.