PERIODONTAL SURGERY (WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW)

Following examination and diagnosis, Dr. Roll may feel that your periodontal condition requires a surgical procedure to correct the damage to the gum and bone. From the many treatment options available, Dr. Roll will recommend a treatment that is tailored to your individual needs and that will re-establish good periodontal health. Dr. Roll provides a variety of surgical services. She prides herself on the fact that she is very conservative in her treatment recommendations and limits surgery to the areas where it is absolutely necessary. Periodontal procedures are available that can reshape and reduce areas of damage and some that can regenerate bone and gum tissue, oftentimes, to their original function and cosmetic appearance. This page answers questions that you may have about periodontal surgery. It complements the advice you have received from your dentist and Dr. Roll.

Why do you need periodontal surgery?

Dr. Roll has recommended surgery to correct or improve the periodontal damage that has affected your gum and or bone. The surgical technique that Dr. Roll chooses will depend on the type and severity of your disease and other oral conditions.

Reasons why you may need periodontal surgery:

  1. To Clean and Reduce Periodontal Pockets: We previously discussed the fact that the main cause of periodontal disease is plaque, the sticky, colorless invisible film that constantly forms on your teeth. We stated that if the plaque is not removed thoroughly, toxins, or poisons, produced by the bacteria in the plaque irritate the gums and destroy supporting gum and bone tissues around the teeth, forming pockets. Eventually, the plaque hardens into a rough deposit called calculus, or tartar. Over time, as more plaque and tartar build up, the gums continue to recede from the teeth. Gum and bone attachment is lost and pockets deepen. You cannot keep deep pockets clean and free of plaque just by brushing and flossing because you cannot reach deep under the gum line. Trying to clean in a deep pocket is like trying to clean under your refrigerator without moving it. The pockets may have become so deep that even your dentist or hygienist is unable to reach deep under the gum to clean them adequately. Therefore, Dr. Roll may decide that you need surgery to remove plaque and tartar below the gum line. She will reduce the pockets and position the gums to eliminate areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide.
  2. To Reshape Areas of Bone Damage: Sometimes the disease damages the bone surrounding the teeth and craters form in the bone. A procedure called Osseous Surgery cleans and reduces the pockets as described above and also reshapes and eliminates the damage to the bone. This procedure can be effective if the damage is not severe and has not weakened the teeth.
  3. To Regenerate, or Re-grow, Gum and Bone Tissue: If your periodontal disease goes untreated, destruction of gum and bone attachment to the teeth continues. As plaque moves down the roots of the teeth, infection goes deeper. The infection may cause more serious and more advanced damage to the bone that supports the teeth. Your affected teeth can become loose and eventually you may lose them. Dr. Roll may recommend surgery to attempt to regenerate, or “re-grow”, gum and bone tissue to save your natural teeth. Without tissue regeneration, teeth may continue to weaken until they are lost.
  4. To Expose More Tooth Structure To Make Dental Repair Possible: You may have a tooth that is decayed or broken below the gum line. Then, you will need periodontal surgery to adjust the gum and bone level to expose more of the tooth so your dentist can repair the damage. Read about Crown Lengthening.
  5. To Improve Your Appearance: In certain instances, Dr. Roll can improve the cosmetic appearance by means of periodontal surgery. For example, she can use gum grafting techniques to correct a “toothy” smile caused by receding or shrinking gums. Gum grafting also helps to prevent further recession of the gums. Likewise, Dr. Roll can do a periodontal surgical procedure to make teeth look longer in a patient with a “gummy smile”.

What discomfort can you expect?

You should feel no discomfort during the surgical procedure. Dr. Roll will give you a local anesthetic to numb the surgical region. Many techniques are available for relieving your anxiety during surgery. Dr. Roll will speak to you about these options. Typically following any type of surgery, the surgical site may be tender or sore, or it may swell. Dr. Roll usually prescribes the medications for you to take prior to your procedure to prevent or reduce post-surgical swelling and discomfort. She may also prescribe antibiotics or antibacterial rinses to protect you from infection. If you take your medications as directed and follow Dr. Roll ‘s instructions, it will help to prevent or minimize any discomfort. And, like most of Dr. Roll ‘s patients, you will likely resume your normal routine with minor modifications (e.g. no vigorous exercise for the 1st three days) soon after surgery.

Will I be able to speak and eat normally after surgery?

You should be able to speak normally after the anesthetic has worn off. It is important that you maintain a well-balanced, nutritious diet after surgery. You may need to avoid chewing some foods in the surgical region for a few days to a week or two depending on the procedure performed. After some types of periodontal surgery, the teeth may be more sensitive to hot and cold. This sensitivity usually diminishes greatly during the first few weeks after surgery.

When do you need to see Dr. Roll again?

Usually, you will need to return for post-surgical treatment in 7 to 14 days. At this time, it may be necessary for Dr. Roll or his staff to remove any stitches and cleanse the surgical site. You will need additional follow-up appointments (usually one or two) to evaluate your healing response and review proper oral hygiene procedures.

Will I ever need surgery again?

In most instances, you will not need surgery in the same region again. However, in certain patients, re-treatment or additional surgery may be needed. As you have learned, you may be prone to periodontal diseases, which are chronic and require constant and careful attention. Like other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and asthma, periodontal disease has no cure. We are able to arrest the disease, correct the damage and work towards maintaining health. Correcting the damage allows the daily plaque control measures to control disease and prevent further destruction to the gums and bone, thereby minimizing tooth loss. Most patients must be in a regular periodontal maintenance program to prevent recurrences of the disease.

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