Which gum surgery do you need?
Gum surgery is a group of procedures, each for a different problem. Your periodontist recommends one only after measuring the gums and checking X-rays.
| Procedure | What it’s for | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Flap surgery (pocket reduction) | Deep pockets that remain after deep cleaning | Cleans the roots under direct vision and reduces the pocket depth |
| Gum graft | Receding gums, exposed roots, sensitivity, thin gum around implants | Covers the root or thickens the gum with tissue, usually from the palate |
| Crown lengthening | A tooth broken near the gum line, or a gummy smile | Exposes more tooth so a crown can be fitted, or evens out the gum line |
Signs you may need gum surgery
- gums that still bleed and pockets that stay deep after a course of deep cleaning
- gums that have pulled back, making teeth look longer or exposing the yellow root
- sensitivity to cold on the exposed roots
- teeth that have become loose, or gaps that have opened up between them
- a broken tooth where the break runs below the gum line
If you haven’t had a gum assessment yet, start with gum treatment. Most gum disease is controlled with cleaning, and surgery is needed only for what remains.
What happens
- Assessment. Our periodontist measures the pocket around each tooth, checks movement and recession, and takes X-rays to see the bone. You get a written plan and the fee.
- Getting ready. Deep cleaning comes first, followed by a review after six to eight weeks. Only the areas that haven’t healed go on to surgery.
- The procedure. Under local anaesthetic, the periodontist lifts the gum, cleans the roots and shapes the bone (flap surgery), places a graft over exposed roots (gum graft), or removes a little gum and bone to expose more tooth (crown lengthening). Fine stitches close the area.
- Review. Stitches come out at one to two weeks. We check healing again at four to six weeks and set up your maintenance cleans.
Recovery
- Day 1: rest, cold packs on the cheek, soft cool food. Don’t rinse, spit forcefully or smoke.
- Days 2–3: soreness and swelling peak, then ease. Take painkillers as advised and use the mouthwash you’re given.
- Week 1–2: brush the rest of your mouth normally and avoid the surgical area until told otherwise. Stitches are removed.
- Weeks 4–6: the gums settle into their new shape. Teeth can feel slightly sensitive for a few weeks.
Call us if bleeding doesn’t stop with pressure, swelling keeps increasing after day three, or you develop a fever.
Keeping the result
Gum surgery treats the damage; daily cleaning keeps it from returning. After treatment for gum disease, a maintenance clean every three to four months, careful brushing along the gum line and interdental brushes keep the pockets shallow. Smoking and chewing tobacco are the biggest reasons gum disease returns, and stopping makes treatment far more successful.
Risks
Swelling, soreness and some bleeding in the first days are expected. Gums can shrink slightly after flap surgery, so teeth may look a little longer and feel sensitive for a while. Grafts occasionally don’t take fully and may need a second procedure. Infection is uncommon. Your periodontist explains your personal risks before you decide.
What affects the fee
How many teeth or areas are treated, which procedure is needed, whether graft tissue comes from your palate or a graft material is used, and how many review visits follow. You get the fee in writing after the gum assessment.
Questions patients ask us
When is gum surgery needed?
When pockets around the teeth stay deep after deep cleaning, when gums have receded far enough to expose roots and cause sensitivity, or when more tooth needs to be exposed before a crown. Your periodontist measures the pockets and checks X-rays before recommending surgery.
Is gum surgery painful?
The area is fully numbed, so you feel pressure rather than pain during the procedure. Afterwards most people have soreness for two or three days that settles with ordinary painkillers. With a gum graft taken from the palate, the palate is usually the sorer of the two sites.
What is flap surgery in dentistry?
Flap surgery (pocket reduction surgery) gently lifts the gum away from the teeth so the periodontist can clean the roots under direct vision, smooth the bone around them and stitch the gum back closer to the tooth. Smaller pockets are easier to keep clean, which keeps gum disease under control.
How long does a gum graft take to heal?
The surface heals in about two weeks, and the graft blends with the surrounding gum over the following one to two months. Stitches come out at one to two weeks. Eat soft food and avoid brushing the grafted area until we tell you to.
Can receding gums be fixed with surgery?
Often, yes. A gum graft can cover exposed roots, reduce sensitivity and protect the tooth from further recession. How much coverage is possible depends on the bone and gum between the teeth, which the periodontist assesses at your consultation.
How long does it take to recover from gum surgery?
Most people go back to work the next day. Expect some swelling and soreness for a few days. Stitches come out at one to two weeks, and the gums are fully settled after about four to six weeks.
What should I eat after gum surgery?
Soft, cool or lukewarm food for the first few days, such as curd, dal, khichdi, soft idli, mashed vegetables and soup that isn't hot. Chew on the other side, and avoid spicy, crunchy and very hot food until the area heals.
Sources
NHS: gum disease ↗ADA MouthHealthy: gum disease ↗Last updated 14 October 2026. This page explains options in general terms; your own plan comes from an examination.