At Implant Dentistry Periodontics & Facial Rejuvenation, we understand that patients generally do not want to hear that they need surgery. However, periodontal surgery is a straightforward approach that can help to correct and improve the health of your mouth, and sometimes even has more significant effects on your overall health. If you have been told that you need periodontal surgery, or if you have been struggling to fight off the effects of gum disease, call our office and schedule your appointment today.



Understanding Gum Disease


There are a variety of different issues that can affect the health of your gums. Some of the most common include gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is considered a minor gum disease. This condition frequently affects your gums by causing bleeding, swelling, and redness. If left untreated, gingivitis can become progressively worse and turn into periodontitis.


When gingivitis has progressed to periodontitis, a key sign can be damage or recession of the gum tissue. This can cause the roots of the teeth to become exposed and vulnerable to cavities and disease. In addition, the gums and spaces between the teeth can begin to harbor dangerous amounts of bacteria and infection. This infection can be spread to the rest of the body.


In addition to the exposure of the teeth and a recession of gum tissue, periodontitis can also be characterized by a loss of gum and bone tissue. Fortunately, there are a number of approaches that we can use at Implant Dentistry Periodontics & Facial Rejuvenation to help you regain your oral health and even reverse some of the damage.



Possible Approaches


One of the first steps that we like to take is often called deep cleaning. This procedure is also called scaling and root planing. The approach is designed to help clean your gums and teeth of any bacteria, infection, and buildup that is currently in the mouth. One of the major concerns with any surgical approach is the possibility of spreading infection. By eliminating the bacteria and places that it can hide, we help to ensure a smooth recovery for you.


One potential surgery is called Flap Surgery. This surgery takes advantage of your recently cleaned gums and teeth and then pulls the gum tissue up further on the tooth to protect the roots. Once the tissue has been pushed back into the proper orientation, it can then be stitched into place to allow it to regrow and naturally attach to the tooth.


If the infection has damaged the bone that surrounds the roots of the teeth, a bone graft is a great approach to help rebuild bone and keep your teeth securely anchored in place. This procedure makes a small incision in the gums and then places a bone graft in the proper location. Your body then naturally incorporates this bone into your existing bone, adding more density and volume to the area. There are a number of different types of bone grafts available, so be sure to talk with our staff about the best option for you.

Some other surgical approaches utilize lasers to help remove dead or damaged gum tissue. This highly accurate approach can remove just the bad tissue while leaving the healthy tissue intact and unharmed. Once there is only healthy gum tissue left, the gums can be pulled into the right location and allowed to heal back to the teeth. This approach can also help to reduce the amount of time and energy that it takes to recover from an operation.


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Overview


If you are struggling to get a handle on your gum health, you are not alone. At Implant Dentistry Periodontics & Facial Rejuvenation, we deal with these issues every day and have been helping thousands of people reclaim their health.