Periodontal Surgeries Specialist

What is periodontal surgery?

Periodontal surgery is any surgical procedure performed on your periodontium. 

Your periodontium is the system of oral tissues that hold your teeth in place in your mouth. It includes a few different components: the cementum encases your tooth roots, while your periodontal ligaments connect your cementum to your alveolar bone, which is covered by your gums.

These components work together to hold your teeth in place securely enough so you can chew food, but not too rigidly to make them prone to injury when put under pressure. 

Why would I need periodontal surgery?

Periodontal surgery is typically performed to treat gum disease or periodontitis. 

Gum disease is a bacterial infection caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on your teeth. Plaque and tartar contain harmful bacteria and acids that irritate your gums and cause them to become swollen and inflamed.

Early stages of gum disease (known as gingivitis) typically don’t require periodontal surgery, and you can usually reverse the effects of the disease with improved at-home care and more frequent cleanings with the team at Tyson’s Dental Design Center.

In later stages of gum disease, however, the bacteria and acids in the plaque on your teeth irritate your gum tissue so much that your gums begin to recede and pull away from your teeth. This begins a destructive cycle wherein pockets form between your teeth and gums. These pockets are highly susceptible to collecting more of the irritating plaque, tartar, and debris in your mouth, which further irritates your gums and causes them to recede even more.

This cycle continues until the infection has destroyed the tissues holding your teeth in place, which can ultimately lead to tooth loss.

What is involved in periodontal surgery?

There are a few different types of periodontal surgery. The team at Tyson’s Dental Design Center works with you to determine which is the most effective course of action for your particular dental needs.

Some of the different types of periodontal surgery include:

Flap surgery or pocket reduction surgery

Your dentist makes incisions in your gums, lifts back the tissue, and deep cleans of the plaque and tartar buildup beneath. They might smooth down the surfaces of your underlying bone tissue to make it more difficult for bacteria to accumulate, then they refit your gum tissue snugly around your tooth, effectively eliminating any pockets that have formed.

Bone graft

If gum disease has destroyed any of your bone tissue, your provider can stimulate new bone growth by grafting bone tissue onto the damaged areas. Your bone graft can come from fragments of your own bone, donated bone, or synthetic bone material.

Soft tissue graft

Your oral surgeon takes soft tissue from the roof of your mouth and stitches it to any areas of your gums that have deteriorated as a result of your gum disease.

Get on the road toward healthier gums today by scheduling an appointment with the team at Tyson’s Dental Design Center. Book your visit by phone or online.