Soft Tissue Graft Flap Surgery Specialist

Who needs soft tissue graft flap surgery?

The team at Los Gatos Dental Specialists recommends soft tissue graft flap surgery when other forms of treatment for gum disease aren’t effective. These more conservative interventions include antibiotics and root planing and scaling. 

During soft tissue graft flap surgery, your Los Gatos Dental Specialists provider cleans the roots of affected teeth and repairs any bone that was infiltrated with gum disease. 

Following flap surgery, it’s important to establish pristine oral hygiene habits to prevent gum disease from recurring. 

What happens during soft tissue graft flap surgery?

You’re given an injection to numb the area or areas to be treated. This reduces your discomfort greatly. Your provider makes a small incision and then pulls back a section of infected gum to clean the roots of your teeth and repair the bone. 

Any inflamed gum or bone tissue is removed and may be repaired with a tissue graft. They then sew the gum flap back into place and cover it with gauze. 

What is recovery from soft tissue graft flap surgery like?

Most people need just a few days to recover from soft tissue graft flap surgery. The friendly staff at Los Gatos Dental Specialists provides a thorough aftercare guide that includes information about postsurgical oral hygiene and diet. 

You’re given prescription pain medications to reduce immediate discomfort. After 24 hours, you should rinse your mouth with warm salt water and repeat several times a day to reduce swelling and pain. 

If any of the gauze pads packing the area become soaked with blood, change them. Soft foods, like pudding or clear soup, are best at first; within a few days, you can add in more solid foods. 

Avoid lying flat as this can encourage more bleeding; prop your head up with pillows as you sleep. Smoking and drinking out of a straw are off-limits for a few days as your mouth heals. 

If you have advanced gum disease, contact Los Gatos Dental Specialists for a treatment plan. Call the office today or use this website to schedule your appointment.