When you need surgery, you want the best surgeon. But you don’t want to have to search for that surgeon. That’s why we have a skilled, in-house periodontist available to perform periodontal surgery for our Houston patients who need it. Here, our periodontist answers some of the most common questions about gum disease and periodontal surgery.
Why might I need periodontal surgery?
Surgery might be required if you suffer from advanced periodontal disease. If you have signs of gum disease, we will bring in our in-house periodontist to evaluate the condition of your teeth, gums and underlying bone structure. Based on this assessment of your periodontal health, the periodontist will recommend a treatment plan.
Some treatment options are non-surgical, such as scaling and root planing. This technique involves cleaning underneath the gums to remove bacteria, often followed by use of antibiotics.
What are the surgical options?
Our periodontist might recommend one or more of the following periodontal surgery options:
- Pocket reduction: Periodontal disease can cause your gums to separate from the teeth, creating pockets where bacteria can accumulate, leading to further decay. By eliminating existing bacteria and then reducing the size of those pockets, the periodontist makes it easier to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
- Regeneration: In cases when the underlying bone structure has been weakened, the periodontist might apply a regenerative agent to the teeth to stimulate the growth of bone and tissue.
- Soft tissue grafts: Periodontal disease often causes the gums to recede, exposing the tooth root and leading to sensitivity to hot and cold liquids. By grafting gum tissue from the roof of your mouth to cover those roots, the periodontist is able to reduce tooth sensitivity and slow future gum recession. This surgery also improves the appearance of your smile by creating a more uniform gum line.
How do I know if I have gum disease?
Some symptoms of periodontal disease that you might notice include:
- Gums that are puffy and red or that bleed when you brush or floss
- Gum recession
- Pockets between the teeth and gums
- Loose teeth
However, the absence of these symptoms does not guarantee that you are free of gum disease. Our Houston dentists stay vigilant for signs of gum disease during your regular dental exams. When we do detect those signs, we save you hassle and time by literally sending you down the hall to our skilled periodontist.
Whether you are seeing signs of periodontal disease, have been advised that you need periodontal surgery, or it’s simply time for your dental check-up, give us a call today to set up an appointment with our Houston dentists.