Periodontal osseous surgery, also known as pocket reduction surgery, is a type of gum disease treatment that eliminates large gum pockets, which are the spaces between your gums and teeth. Infected gum tissue due to gum disease can cause affected tissues to move away from the teeth.
When left untreated, gum disease can cause receding gums, bone loss, and even permanent tooth loss. During periodontal osseous surgery, your specialist puts gum tissue back in its ideal position and helps the gums to reattach to your teeth.
Common signs and symptoms you could experience with gum disease include:
- Pockets between your teeth and gums.
- Loose permanent teeth.
- Bleeding gums.
- Bright red gums.
- Receding gumline.
- Permanent tooth loss.
- Teeth shifting.
- Swollen or tender gums.
If you notice that your gum pocket depth is large or has increased in size, see the experts at New Jersey Dental Specialists for an evaluation.
To find out if you’re a candidate for periodontal osseous surgery, we will discuss your oral health history and symptoms with you. We will also examine your teeth, gums, and mouth and measure the gum pockets (space between your gums and teeth). We may need to take dental X-rays when needed.
Other gum disease treatments include medications, gum grafting, bone grafting, guided tissue regeneration, and deep dental cleaning (scaling and root planing). We personalize each gum disease treatment to match your needs.
During your periodontal osseous surgery, we will numb the treatment area and offer a sedative to relax you. Then, we will make small incisions along your gumline, fold back your gums, and remove any bacteria.
We will later smooth the areas containing damaged bone, place guided tissue regeneration membranes or bone grafts in the treatment area if needed, and close the incisions. We may cover the treatment site with specialized dressings.
After the procedure, it’s important to follow all post-treatment instructions. Take medications as directed by your dentist, get plenty of rest, don’t smoke, eat a soft-food diet for a few days, and avoid drinking through a straw until treated tissues heal.
Steer clear of strenuous physical activity until your provider gives you permission to do so and change your dressings regularly. Reduce any swelling using an ice pack and attend follow-up visits with us.
