Periodontal (Gum) Surgery
Each procedure is tailored to each individual patient because no two cases are the same as no two people are the same. That’s why we take the time to provide all the details about each case and procedure.
Periodontal surgery is performed to treat serious cases of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection caused by bacteria that destroys the soft tissue and bone structure that support your teeth. Periodontal surgery can entail removing plaque (a sticky film of food particles and bacteria) and calculus (hardened plaque), smoothing infected root surfaces, and in some cases, bone and/or gum grafting. Periodontal surgery is a necessary step in treating gum disease. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.
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You will need periodontal surgery if you have severe periodontal disease. While periodontal disease can only be accurately diagnosed by a periodontist or dentist, some symptoms can include:
bad breath
bleeding when you brush or floss
loose teeth
gums that are tender, red, painful, swollen or receding
pain while chewing
To determine if you have periodontal disease and/or if you need periodontal surgery, schedule a consultation with our Flushing, Queens periodontist at Dental Solutions New York.
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When undergoing a periodontal surgery at Dental Solutions New York, you can expect to undergo a minor oral surgery that will require anesthetics and sedation. There are different surgical techniques that may be used, depending on your individual case. These include:
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening procedures remove gum and/or bone tissue in order to expose more of the tooth’s surface.
Bone Graft
Bone grafts are surgical procedures used to build up bone mass in areas of low bone density by placing bone material from a laboratory or the patient’s own body in areas that have undergone bone loss.
Gum Graft
During a gum graft, healthy gum tissue is grafted onto the exposed tooth roots in order to build up the tissue and cover the tooth roots.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
Gum pocket reduction surgery is performed to remove excess bacteria and reduce the depth of periodontal pockets in order to prevent bone deterioration and eventual tooth loss. Reducing the depth of gum pockets also makes it easier to effectively clean around the gum line and can prevent future complications.
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After periodontal surgery, your expectations will vary depending on the type of surgical procedure performed. However our periodontist will provide you with guidelines to follow after surgery that will likely include some or all of the following:
Diet: Eat soft foods for the first week and drink plenty of fluids. Avoid hot foods and beverages for the first day since they can cause excess bleeding or burns.
Oral Hygiene: Gently rinse with warm salt water (1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 oz. water) 24 hours after surgery, then 4-5 times daily for the first few days. Avoid brushing or flossing until directed by your periodontist.
Medications: Take any antibiotics or pain medications as directed.
Activity: Avoid strenuous activities until directed by your periodontist.