Open flap curettage

A periodontal flap also known as ‘open flap curettage’, is a procedure that is done to give us access to the roots of the teeth and the bone that are beneath the gingival tissue. This is a minimally invasive procedure that allows us to thoroughly scale and root plane where the hygienists cannot reach.

Why would we perform this procedure?

• The roots and bone may need to be thoroughly cleaned.
• The bone may be gently reshaped in areas where it has become ragged or uneven due to bone loss caused by periodontal disease (bone defects).
• The bone may need to be reshaped to expose a fractured tooth surface.
• Materials may be placed to try to regenerate bone and tissue in this area.