Healing Gum Disease
Although our office is always focused on successful non-surgical therapy, we are highly proficient in all types of regenerative and cosmetic surgical treatments. Our goal is your health and we WILL establish your health painlessly and with skill and compassion.
Pocket Reduction Surgery
As periodontal disease progresses, the pockets that form between the teeth and gums can become deeper and the bacteria that develops around the teeth accumulates and advances under the gum tissue. The result is damage to the supporting teeth and loss of bone. Eventually, if too much bone is lost the teeth may need to be extracted. To prevent further damage to the bone and gum tissue caused by the progression of the disease, it may be necessary to reduce the pocket depth and eliminate the existing bacteria. This will also make it easier for you to keep the area clean.
The procedure to reduce the diseased pockets involves opening the gum tissue and removing the bacteria that causes the disease, then securing the gum tissue snugly around the teeth. It may also be necessary to smooth the irregular surfaces of the damaged bone and reshape it properly. This makes it more difficult for bacteria to accumulate and grow and thereby increases the chance of saving teeth moving forward.
SURGICAL REDUCTION OF DEEP PERIODONTAL POCKETS
Gingivectomy
A gingivectomy is typically necessary when excessive gum tissue has developed and contributes to or creates pockets between the tooth and the gum tissue that harbor bacteria and can create infection and periodontal disease the actual procedure is quite routine the procedure involves removing and reshaping loose, diseased gum tissue, eliminating pockets between teeth and the gums as well. Sometimes after removing the gum tissue, a putty-like substance is placed over the gum tissues to protect them while they heal during the first week.
GUM RECONTOURING TO CORRECT A “GUMMY” SMILE
Regeneration
Regenerative procedures are recommended when the bone supporting the natural teeth has been destroyed. These procedures can actually reverse some of the damage by regenerating loss bone and tissue. Typically, the procedures involve opening the gum tissue and removing the bacteria that can cause the disease. Then special membranes and bone grafting material can be used to encourage tissue and bone regeneration.
- GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION involves inserting membranes (filters) between the teeth and gums to allow the ligaments to regrow and bone to reform so that the teeth are better supported.
- BONE GRAFTS involve placing tiny fragments of bone in areas of lost bone. These grafts stimulate new bone growth, or regeneration, and restored stability to the teeth by filling in the craters caused by the disease.
GUIDED TISSUE REGENERATION TO CORRECT BONE DEFECTS
Crown Lengthening
If teeth are decayed or broken below the gumline, crown lengthening is often necessary in order to restore the teeth. Since the procedure adjust the gum and bone levels to expose more of the tooth surface, it is easier to restore these teeth with cosmetic fillings and crowns.
CROWN LENGTHENING TO PRESERVE A FRACTURED TOOTH
CROWN LENGTHENING TO ACCESS DECAY BELOW THE GUMLINE
Soft Tissue Grafts
Although gum recession can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common cause is aggressive tooth brushing. Gum recession results and exposed tooth roots which are more susceptible to cavities. Covering these roots that make the teeth look too long will improve the aesthetic appearance of the smile. This will also solve the problem of root sensitivity to hot and cold and protect the roots from further decay.
Although a variety of techniques exist for covering exposed root surfaces. Many soft tissue grafting procedures involve taking tissue from the palate (roof of the mouth) to cover exposed roots and the defects caused by gum recession. This also reinforces thin gum tissue. This procedure will also help to prevent additional recession and further bone loss.
GUM GRAFTING TO COVER EXPOSED ROOT SURFACES