Sometimes, periodontal surgery may demand to treat certain gum diseases, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. This type of surgery is called gum surgery.
The procedure aims to address the gum disease and any damage it may have caused by:
- Regrowth of hurt bones and tissues
- Checking tooth loss
- Lessening gum gaps between teeth (black triangles)
- Transforming the jaw edge to lower the risk for bacterial growth in bone crevices
- Removing bacteria and infection
Gum diseases such as gingivitis (a mild form of gum disease that can result in gum redness, swelling, and also bleeding) and periodontitis may need surgical treatment. Usually, gingivitis occurs due to poor oral hygiene, plaque, and tartar buildup. Periodontitis is a severe form of gum disease in which gingivitis has worsened, destroying bone and tissues. During this inflammatory process, the gums start separating from the teeth. This creates spaces to attract bacteria that may lead to infections. As a result, no tooth loss and bone damage occur.
Types Of Gum Surgery
Performing surgery depends on the type and severity of gum disease. Before surgery, a dental surgeon might go for deep cleaning of gums. Deep scaling procedure can remove tartar and bacteria from teeth and gums. And root planing procedure can refine the surfaces of the teeth root, meaning that there are a few places for tartar and bacteria to build up. This procedure also cleans tartar that is present on the root. Deep scaling and root planing generally occur at the same time. And the surgeries include:
- Flap surgery – It is done to the patients who have tartar deposits in the deep pockets. The procedure consists of lifting the gums off of the teeth to clean tartar buildup. After the surgeon has cleaned the tartar, they will stitch the gums into place to accommodate the teeth. Sometimes, the bone may need reshaping during this procedure.
- Bone grafting – When the bone that surrounds the root of the tooth is destroyed, a person may need a bone graft. This procedure includes replacing the damaged bone with new bone. The process of bone grafting aims to hold the tooth in place and help it to regrow.
- Guided tissue regeneration – During this procedure, the dental surgeon will place a tiny piece of mesh-like material between a person’s bone and the gum tissue. The material saves the gum from growing into space where bone should be allowing the bone and connective tissue to regrow.
- Tissue grafting – The type of surgery performed will be based on several factors, such as the condition of the gums. A lowered gum line, known as the gum line recession, is resulted by the loss of gum tissue and may need soft tissue grafting to minimize the risk of further damage. During this procedure, the dentist typically eliminates tissue from one part of the body and re-merges it to the place where the gum has receded. Tissue grafting not only decreases the risk for further damage but also covers any exposed roots.
- Proteins – Sometimes, surgeons apply a gel that contains unique proteins to the diseased tooth root. This helps in healthy bone and tissue growth.
The Procedure Of Gum Surgery
Before a person has gum surgery, a dentist will perform a pre-operative exam to make sure it is safe to have surgery. During this exam, the dentist will likely:
- Examine the teeth, mouth, and jaw thoroughly to check for the stability and health
- check for any infections, abscesses, or other lesions that may make healing from surgery more complexed
- discuss the benefits and risks of the operation, and receive permission or consent to move forward with it
Most gum surgery procedures take about 2 hours to be completed.
In some cases, the surgery may require the patient to be asleep or partially asleep during the operation. Other times, local anesthesia is enough to numb the gums. The dentist uses sterile equipment, including instruments and drapes, to decrease the risk of infections. After making tiny incisions or cuts along the gum line, the dentist will lift the gums away from the teeth. Following this deep cleaning, the dental surgeon performs other procedures, such as gum reshaping, bone regeneration procedures, or other planned procedures, etc. Once the scheduled dental surgery is done, the surgeon will stitch the gums back into place, which will be removed after 7 to 10 days.
Recovery Time Of Gum Surgery
The recovery time usually depends upon the extent of the procedure taking place. Dentists may also suggest:
- Using an antiseptic mouthwash helps to keep the area clean and to avoid infection
- Avoiding vigorous exercise
- Consuming soft foods for some days
- Avoid smoking
The dentist will fix an appointment to return to the office for 1–2 weeks. During this appointment, the surgeon will assess how the gums are healing and, if required, remove any stitches.
If left neglected, gum diseases may result in a variety of health problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and pre-term, low-birth-weight babies. Hence, maintaining good oral hygiene, and keeping routine dental appointments can reduce the risk and severity of gum disease. At Dr. Mohamed Ali’s office, he will thoroughly asses your mouth before recommending gum surgery for you, considering your dental issues. If required, he might suggest some alternatives which are best suited for your needs. The billing experts will inspect your insurance benefits and will offer you a complete treatment plan with all the necessary arrangements. Every major dental and medical PPO insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare. There is also an in-office Plan for Health for those who don’t have any insurance. Also, we have partnered with various financial institutions like The Lending Club, Care Credit, Healthcare Finance Solutions to make your treatment extremely affordable. If you have any questions, feel free to ask. So sit, relax, and get sparkling white teeth. Call us today to schedule your consultation. You can reach us at 415.391.7751.
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