Several types of surgical procedures on gums are routinely performed in the dental office. Your dentist or your periodontist can perform the surgery or procedure.
A periodontist is a dental specialist who limits their practice to procedures that involve the health of the gums and the bone surrounding the teeth. Let’s take a look at some of the more common ways to treat issues with your gums:
Crown lengthening
Sometimes, a tooth's crown is too short to hold a restoration, or decay is so deep that it has almost reached the supporting bone. This procedure will actually remove some of the supporting bone to allow proper placement of a restoration and prevent it from coming loose. Crown lengthening surgery is also used to correct a “gummy smile,” removing excess bone and gingival tissue surrounding the teeth.
Periodontal pocket procedures
In this procedure, the dentist will surgically reflect the gums, exposing the bone and roots of the teeth. This allows access to better clean tartar and stain off the roots of the teeth, reducing pocket depth. Tartar and stains harbor bacteria, leading to increased bone loss around the tooth. If not treated, bone loss surrounding the tooth will rapidly progress.
Gum grafting
Certain habits, like brushing teeth too hard or teeth grinding, can often lead to the root of the tooth being exposed. This leads to increased sensitivity to hot and cold liquids and foods as well as an increased risk of decay. It may also cause an aesthetic issue for the patient when smiling.
The first step to correcting this is to find and stop the cause of the recession. Then, dentists are able to graft tissue over the exposed root surface. This involves carefully attaching a small amount of new tissue in an area where little or no gum tissue currently exists. The tissue used in the graft may come from a variety of sources, but is usually taken from the roof of the mouth.
After any type of gum surgery, it’s more important than ever to practice good oral hygiene. Proper brushing, daily flossing, a healthy diet and regular dental visits are critical to success and oral health. Discuss your gum (periodontal) health with your dentist and dental hygienist.
This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.
