What is Gum Surgery
Coupled with routine visits to the dentist, daily flossing and brushing helps keep the teeth strong and healthy. Not only is a sound oral hygiene regimen good for the teeth, it also ensures healthy gums. Regular oral examinations by the dentist allow an opportunity to identify and treat gum disease in its earliest stages before it advances.
Failing to act on gum disease opens the door for infection and gum damage that may necessitate surgery. Patients that have been referred to a gum specialist (periodontist) for gum surgery newark ohio are likely wondering what the procedure is for and what it involves.
Reasons for Having Gum Surgery
The earliest form of gum disease, gingivitis, can generally be treated by a dentist. A more advanced form of gingivitis, periodontitis, causes inflammation and damage to the gum tissue and underlying bone structures. Periodontitis generally requires consulting a periodontist and treatment could include gum surgery.
Gun surgery is not just for treating gum disease. Gum surgery can regrow damaged gum tissue and bone, close gaps between teeth, reshape the jawbone, and prevent tooth loss. Some patients elect for gum surgery for cosmetic reasons if they have excessive gum tissue covering their teeth (commonly referred to as a “gummy” smile).
Gum Surgery Types
There are various types of gum surgery and which option is used will depend on the patient’s specific needs, type of gum disease, damage done, or cosmetic results desired. The types of gum surgery available are:
- Gingival Flap Surgery: Gums are first separated from the teeth, a deep cleaning performed, and then stitched back around the teeth. In some instances, the surgery will require bone reshaping.
- Gingivectomy: Overgrown or excess gum tissue is removed making the teeth surfaces easier to clean and to improve appearances.
- Gingivoplasty: Involves reshaping the gumline for a more appealing appearance. Sometimes performed in conjunction with a gum grafting procedure.
- Gum Graft: To reshape the gumline and minimize sensitivity, tissue is taken from another location in the mouth and stitched around the exposed areas of the affected tooth.
- Gum Regeneration: After folding the gums back to remove bacteria, the surgeon inserts membranes, bone grafts, or tissue-stimulating proteins designed to regenerate gum tissue around the teeth.
What to Expect During and After Surgery
Most types of gum surgery begin with the periodontist performing a thorough cleaning of the teeth and administering a local numbing anesthetic. Should a deep cleaning below the gumline be needed, the surgeon will make incisions along the gumline, lift the gum tissue up, and clean away any plaque, tartar, or infections. Whatever gum surgery is needed will then be performed before stitching the gums back into place. Prior to the procedure, the periodontist will communicate any specifics of the procedure, how long it will take, and how best to prepare.
Recovery time is dictated based on the patient and procedure performed but in general, the periodontist will schedule a follow up visit within 1-2 weeks of surgery. Throughout recovery, the patient should use antiseptic mouthwash to keep the area clean and minimize infection risks. Antibiotics may also be prescribed. Full recovery typically takes 4-6 weeks but patients are often able to resume normal eating and brushing sooner.
Because local anesthesia is used in most gum surgeries, the procedures are mostly painless. However, once anesthesia wears off, some pain is expected but generally well managed using over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen.
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