Access and clean deep periodontal pockets to eliminate infection, halt bone loss, and save your natural teeth.
If you have advanced gum disease (periodontitis) that hasn’t responded to non-surgical treatments, you may be experiencing:
Gaps between your teeth and gums that harbor bacteria.
Gums that bleed easily, even with gentle brushing.
Deterioration of the jawbone supporting your teeth.
Teeth becoming unstable due to loss of support.
Periodontal flap surgery is a procedure designed to treat moderate to advanced periodontitis (gum disease). It involves gently lifting the gums away from the teeth to create a “flap,” allowing direct access to clean deep periodontal pockets, remove tartar and plaque buildup, and smooth damaged bone. After the area is thoroughly cleaned, the gums are repositioned and sutured back into place. This procedure reduces pocket depth, eliminates infection, and helps create a healthier environment for your gums to reattach to your teeth.
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A simple, organized process designed to make your transformation as smooth as possible
Detailed examination, pocket depth measurements, and X-rays to assess the extent of the disease.
Local anesthesia is administered, the gums are gently lifted, the roots are cleaned, and the gums are sutured back in place.
Detailed instructions are provided for at-home care, including diet, hygiene, and medication.
Follow-up appointments are scheduled to monitor healing and establish a long-term maintenance plan.
Common Questions About Periodontal Flap Surgery
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, so you will not feel pain during the surgery. Post-operative discomfort is manageable with prescribed medication.
Initial healing takes about a week, with full healing occurring over several weeks. Following post-operative instructions is crucial for a smooth recovery.
If advanced periodontitis is left untreated, it can lead to further bone loss, tooth mobility, and eventual tooth loss.
While it is a common and effective treatment, your periodontist will discuss all available options with you based on your specific condition.
With scaling and root planing, the gums stay in place and instruments work blindly under the gum line.
With periodontal flap surgery, the gums are carefully lifted, so the dentist can see and clean all root surfaces and bone defects directly.
This allows much more complete removal of calculus, biofilm and inflamed tissue in deep, complex pockets.
A typical procedure includes:
Local anaesthesia to fully numb the area.
Small incisions in the gum to create a thin flap.
Thorough cleaning of tartar and biofilm from tooth roots and pocket walls.
Removal of inflamed soft tissue and smoothing of irregular bone if needed.
Optionally placing bone grafts, membranes or regenerative materials in deep defects.
Repositioning the flap in a slightly lower (more apical) position to reduce pocket depth and suturing it in place.
Depending on how many teeth are treated, surgery usually takes about 45–90 minutes per quadrant/arch.
Do:
Use cold packs on the outside of the cheek for the first 24 hours (10–15 minutes on / 10–15 minutes off).
Take all prescribed painkillers and antibiotics exactly as instructed.
Eat soft, lukewarm foods for a few days.
Use any antiseptic mouthwash your dentist prescribes (for example, chlorhexidine).
Brush with a soft toothbrush, carefully avoiding the surgical site at first.
Avoid:
Smoking or vaping for at least 7–10 days (ideally longer).
Alcohol, especially while taking medication.
Very hot, spicy or hard foods that can irritate the area.
Touching or picking the area with your tongue or fingers.
Heavy exercise or lifting during the first 3–5 days.
Most patients heal without problems, but potential risks include:
Bleeding, swelling, bruising and tenderness in the first days
Rare infection of the surgical site
Temporary tooth sensitivity (especially to hot and cold)
Gums healing in a slightly lower position, making teeth look longer
In advanced cases with severe bone loss, some teeth may still have a poorer long-term prognosis
With proper planning, surgical technique and home care, complication rates are generally low.
They may look slightly longer, especially in areas with deep pockets and bone loss. This is because the gums are repositioned in a healthier, more apical position, exposing part of the root that was previously hidden by inflamed tissue. In aesthetic areas, your periodontist uses more conservative and regenerative techniques to balance health and appearance, and will discuss expectations with you in advance.
After periodontal flap surgery, we usually recommend maintenance visits every 3–4 months during the first year, and then every 4–6 months depending on your individual risk (smoking, diabetes, home care, etc.). At these visits, pocket depths, bleeding, plaque levels and your brushing technique are checked and professionally cleaned.
If you are coming from the UK, you don’t have to fly back to Istanbul for every control: Maltepe Dental Clinic also has a London consultation office, so many follow-up periodontal check-ups and hygiene sessions can be organised locally in London, while more advanced surgical or implant procedures are planned at our main clinic in Istanbul.
Yes. For dental tourists, treatment can be organised as:
A visit of about 3–7 days for consultation, imaging, initial non-surgical therapy and flap surgery in the chosen areas
Remote follow-up instructions during healing
Optional further visits to combine periodontal stabilisation with implants, crowns or other restorative work
Maltepe Dental Clinic is used to working with international patients, so scheduling and maintenance can be coordinated to fit your travel plans.
If you have advanced gum disease, don’t wait. Contact us for a comprehensive periodontal evaluation and treatment plan.
