Find Out Which Periodontal Surgery is Right for You

Periodontal disease is a condition in which your gums become swollen and bleed. This is caused by a gum infection that has to be taken care of or else the infection will spread. When this occurs, it could end up destroying the structures that support your teeth within the jawbone.

It can get to the point where your teeth will have to be removed because they become too loose. The earliest stage of the disease is relatively common and is called gingivitis.

periodontal surgery

Preventing Periodontal Disease

The gum infection that leads to periodontal disease is caused by plaque, which means that basic oral hygiene, such as regular brushing and flossing, can help prevent the disease. Smoking, poor nutrition and certain medicines can lead to the beginning stages, or gingivitis.

Periodontal Surgery

If you suffer from periodontal disease and the condition worsens to the point where it is doing structural damage to your teeth, then you may require surgery. The following are four types of periodontal surgery.

Pocket Reduction Surgery

The jawbone and gum tissue by your teeth should fit snugly around each tooth
in the same way that a turtleneck sweater is supposed to fit snugly around your neck. Periodontal disease can destroy the supporting tissue and bone, thereby leaving pockets of space around the teeth. Bacteria can spread to these pockets, where they can cause further damage to the point where your teeth may need to be removed.

Pocket reduction surgery involves reducing the pocket depth and removing existing bacteria. Irregularly shaped bone surfaces may be smoothed down to limit where bacteria can live.

Regenerative Procedure

If the bone that supports your teeth has been destroyed, then a regenerative procedure can be performed in order to regenerate lost bone and tissue. The periodontist will first remove any of the bacteria still present before adding bone grafts, membranes or tissue-stimulating proteins in order to encourage your body
s ability to naturally regenerate both bone and tissue.

Crown Lengthening

If a tooth has been damaged by periodontal disease, then another option is to have a crown lengthening procedure performed. The periodontist will expose more of the tooth by pulling the gum away from the affected tooth. This will allow him or her access to the roots of the tooth as well as the bone that surrounds it.

In less severe cases, only a little bit of gum tissue will need to be removed in order to place a crown or filling on the tooth. In most cases, bone will need to be removed from around the roots of the tooth.

Soft Tissue Grafting

If gum tissue around the affected teeth has been destroyed, then soft tissue grafting is one way to repair the gums. There are three different types of soft tissue graft procedures that can be performed:

  1. Free gingival graft
    This procedure involves the removal of tissue from the roof of your mouth. It
    s then grafted to the affected area to encourage natural growth.
  2. Pedicle graft
    This procedure involves dissecting a flap of tissue so that it retains its connection to its blood supply. The flap of tissue is then slid sideways to cover the root. Healing will begin immediately because its blood vessels are left in place.
  3. Connective tissue graft
    This procedure involves removing a thin strip of connective tissue from inside the mouth and inserting it within a pouch over the exposed roots.

If a tooth has to be removed due to periodontal disease, you should consider dental implants. For more information about periodontal surgery or dental implants, contact us at Central Florida Periodontics & Implantology today.