Explore State-of-the-Art Surgical Periodontal Treatment Options
In some cases, periodontal surgery is necessary when the tissue around your teeth has become unhealthy and cannot be repaired with non-surgical treatments. Periodontal surgery may be recommended as a last resort if your gum disease has reached severe stages and there is an excess of soft tissue or your jawbone needs to be rebuilt.
Dr. Tredinick has successfully conducted periodontal surgery for many years and understands the stress and discomfort surgical procedures may cause some patients. She and the Coastal Periodontics staff will explain your operation in detail and patiently answer all of your questions. They will ensure a safe and contamination free surgical environment and provide you comfort before, during, and after your surgery.
You will also be given the option of receiving your periodontal surgery while conscious oral sedation or Intravenous (IV) sedation.
The following four types of periodontal surgical treatments are the most commonly prescribed.
Periodontal Pocket Reduction
When healthy, your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth. However, when you have periodontal disease, the supporting tissue and bone are destroyed causing the gum to separate from the teeth.
Over time, deep pockets form under the gum tissue. The pockets provide an increasingly large space for bacteria to multiply and advance. As the pockets deepen, they collect even more bacteria, resulting in further bone and tissue loss. Too much bone is lost if this is allowed to continue and the teeth will have to be extracted.
A pocket reduction is recommended when the gaps between your teeth and gums have become too broad to clean at home or with routine professional care. The reduction procedure involves folding back the gum tissue and removing the disease-causing bacteria, then securing your gums back in place. In some cases, it is necessary to smooth damaged portions of the bone to limit the areas where bacteria can hide and help the gum tissue re-attach to healthy bone.
By reducing the pockets and continuing with good daily oral hygiene and professional care, you will increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth and decrease the likelihood of severe health problems associated with periodontal disease.
Periodontal Regenerative Procedures
If left untreated, periodontal disease will destroy the supporting gum tissue as well as the bone surrounding your teeth. If too much bone and gum tissue are lost, it becomes necessary to extract your teeth. In some cases, Dr. Tredinick may recommend a regenerative procedure to help grow new tissue and bone to avoid removing the tooth.
The periodontal regenerative process begins with the doctor folding back the gum tissue and removing all disease-causing bacteria. Then tissue-stimulating proteins which encourage your body’s natural ability to regenerate bone and gum tissue, membranes (filters), or bone grafts are placed under the gums.
What are the benefits of regeneration?
Eliminating bacteria and regenerating bone and gum tissue will help reduce pockets and repair the damage caused by gum disease. A combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care following treatment will increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth and decrease the chances of developing severe health problems that are associated with periodontal disease.
Functional Crown Lengthening
If your teeth are decayed or broken below the gum line or there is insufficient structure below the gum line for restoration, Dr. Tredinick may suggest functional crown lengthening.
During a functional crown lengthening procedure, Dr. Tredinick adjusts the gum and bone level, exposing more of the tooth so it can be restored. The crown lengthening treatment can help make restorative or cosmetic dental procedures possible without having to cut into the gum line which can cause irritation or pain.
Soft Tissue Gum Grafts
Soft tissue grafts are a periodontal technique that can stop further gum recession, and improve the aesthetics of your gum line.
Gum recession results in exposed tooth roots, creating the illusion of excessively long teeth. It can also cause your teeth to be overly sensitive to hot or cold foods and liquids.
Gum recession occurs for a variety of reasons, including aggressive tooth brushing and periodontal disease. We can help you identify the factors contributing to your gum recession issue during your appointment. Once the contributing factors are controlled, we can perform a soft tissue graft to repair the defect, preventing further recession and possible bone loss.
Soft tissue grafts help to cover roots or re-develop gum tissue that has been eroded away due to excessive gingival recession. During the graft procedure, we will take gum tissue from your palate or another donor source and then cover the exposed root. We can perform this procedure for just one tooth or for several to even out your gum line and reduce sensitivity.
What are the benefits of soft tissue grafts?
Soft tissue gum grafts can reduce gum recession, bone loss, and can cover exposed roots to protect them from decay. The procedure may even reduce tooth sensitivity and improve the aesthetics of your smile. Whether having a crown lengthening to enhance function or cosmetics, patients often receive the benefits of both: A beautiful new smile and improved periodontal health. These are the keys to smiling, eating and speaking with comfort and confidence.
Grafts are best placed before orthodontics to gain gingival thickness, avoid future recessions, and to prevent further periodontal problems.