When routine scaling and root planing does not help to restore periodontal health periodontal surgery may be advised. Most common surgical procedures are:
• Pocket reduction procedures
• Regenerative Procedures
Pocket Reduction Procedures
When with routine scaling and root planing deep periodontal pockets cannot be cleaned your periodontist may recommend pocket reduction procedures. During this procedure, your periodontist folds back the gum tissue and removes the disease-causing plaque and tartar. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothened. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone. The gum tissue is then secured at its new position with sutures.
Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease and to help you maintain a healthy smile. Eliminating bacteria alone may not be sufficient to prevent disease recurrence. Deeper pockets are more difficult for you and your dental care professional to clean, so it's important to reduce them. Reduced pockets and a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth – and decrease the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.
"People think of gum disease in terms of their teeth, but they don't think about the fact that gum disease is a serious infection that can release bacteria into the bloodstream" |
