Open curettage
Open curettage - when is it necessary and what is the treatment like?
Open flap curettage (Open Flap Debridement) is an advanced surgical procedure used for patients in whom closed curettage has not been sufficient to completely remove the infection and reduce the depth of the gingival pockets.
Who is open curettage for?
- Patients with deep gingival pockets (>5 mm) where inflammation persists.
- Individuals who, despite previous treatment (scaling, root planing), have not significantly improved and pockets have not become shallow.
- Patients with persistent bleeding, purulent exudate and loosening of teeth, indicating progressive destruction of periodontal tissues.
What is an open curettage?
- The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia - the patient feels no pain.
- The gingiva is gently debrided (incision and deviation of the gingival flap), allowing full access to the tooth roots and alveolar bone.
- All bacterial deposits, toxins and inflamed tissue are removed and the root surfaces are thoroughly smoothed.
- For large bone defects, augmentation (bone regeneration) with biomaterials may be necessary.
- Once the periodontium has been cleaned, the gingiva is precisely sutured to allow proper healing.
Recovery after open curettage
- Healing takes about 2-3 weeks and full tissue regeneration can take up to several months.
- For the first few days, there may be slight pain, swelling and hypersensitivity, so cold compresses and avoiding hard foods are recommended.
- Gentle oral hygiene, the use of antiseptic rinses (as advised by the doctor) and avoiding brushing in the area of the sutures for the first few days are essential.
- Sutures are usually removed after 7-10 days, unless absorbable sutures are used.
Is antibiotic therapy necessary?
- In most cases, there is no need for antibiotics as long as the patient does not have symptoms of acute inflammation.
- In situations of major infection or bone regeneration, the doctor may recommend prophylactic antibiotic therapy, such as amoxicillin with metronidazole or another individually selected antibiotic.
How to prepare for an open curettage?
Supplementation can aid tissue regeneration:
- Vitamin C - accelerates healing and strengthens tissue immunity.
- Vitamin D3 + K2 - supports bone and gum regeneration.
- Zinc - acts as an anti-inflammatory and promotes tissue regeneration.
- Omega-3 fatty acids - reduce inflammation.
- Type I and III collagen - supports the reconstruction of the gums and periodontal ligaments.
Open curettage is an effective method of treating advanced periodontal disease to clean tissues and prevent further bone loss. At Unident Union, we make sure that each procedure is carried out in a way that is as comfortable as possible for the patient, with a personalised approach to treatment and recovery.
