Osseous surgery helps protect your teeth from damage caused by gum disease.
When standard periodontal treatments aren’t enough, the Sean P. Avera, DDS, MS, team may recommend osseous surgery.
At our Auburn and Grass Valley, CA, periodontal office, we provide a variety of services to treat gum disease at all stages. Our team may recommend osseous surgery during a consultation or after previous treatments haven’t worked. This surgery is a great option to actively eradicate bacteria causing inflammation and infection of the gum tissue.
What is Osseous Surgery?
Also known as pocket reduction or flap surgery, we recommend osseous surgery when more conservative treatments have not helped mitigate the effects of gum disease.
Gum disease causes the gum tissue to inflame and retreat from the surfaces of the teeth—causing pockets between the gingival tissue and tooth roots. The size of the gum pockets around your teeth is an important measure to determine the extent of the disease. The larger the pockets, the easier it is for bacteria to get into the gums and cause disease progression and tissue damage. We can use osseous surgery to significantly reduce the size of the pockets. When the pocket size is reduced, we can stop bacteria in its tracks, protect against future bone loss, and improve the overall look and health of your smile.
The Osseous Surgery Process
In order to perform the surgery, we provide you with an anesthetic to numb the tissue and to keep you comfortable. Our goal is to prevent as much discomfort as possible while ensuring that you can still respond to instructions if needed.
Once surgery begins, our periodontal provider will make small incisions along the gum line to pull the gums away from the teeth. With this newly created gum flap, the team has access to the roots of teeth. We then clean the gums and teeth to ensure plaque and bacteria are removed. Depending on the extent of the gum disease, we may also need to reshape the bones of the teeth to create a better surface for the gums to fully reconnect. Once the area is clean, we will use sutures to close the gum flap, taking care to ensure that the gum pockets are reduced.
Osseous Surgery Recovery
While the surgery site heals, we recommend taking medication to alleviate discomfort. We will prescribe antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory for discomfort after surgery. Swelling is common, and using an ice pack intermittently can help. Stitches may require removal a week to ten days after the surgery, and we’ll also bring you in to monitor healing about a month after the procedure. Sensitivity toothpaste should be used if you notice increased temperature sensitivity post-surgery. We will provide you with thorough post-operation instructions during your appointment. If you have any questions following your procedure, you can call our office at any time.
The Importance of a Healthy Gum Line
The gums provide an entry point for bacteria to invade the rest of the body. This means that unhealthy gums could lead to a variety of problems, including heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, and more. Healthy gums are inextricably linked to overall health, which is why our team is dedicated to providing top-notch periodontal care to our patients.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of severe gum disease or previous treatments haven’t gotten your gums back to full health, call our office. Our team will consult with you to determine if osseous surgery is the best treatment for you.