Can You Treat Periodontal Disease With Osseous Surgery

Gum or periodontal disease is an increasingly rising oral concern among millions globally. Keeping up with good oral hygiene and regular oral exams is the key to maintaining healthy gums. Usually, gum disease results from bacteria, plaque, and tartar in the mouth. These deposits can irritate and infect the gums, causing inflammation.

Over time, these deposits form along and under the gum line, forming deep pockets. As the pockets become deeper, it might be difficult or painful to get rid of these deposits. If not eliminated, the infection can spread to the underlying jawbone and lead to tooth loss, loose teeth, bone damage, etc.

If caught early, your dentist or periodontist can perform deep cleaning, also known as scaling and root planing, to eliminate plaque and tartar under the gums and allow the gums to reattach to the teeth. However, deep cleaning might not be effective if your pockets are too deep, say more than 5mm. In such a case, your periodontist can recommend pocket reduction surgery, also known as Osseous surgery. Visit a dental care clinic near you or contact our Edison dentist for periodontal disease treatment.

What is Osseous Surgery?

Osseous surgery is a pocket reduction surgery designed to reduce or eliminate deep pockets from periodontal disease. If you have periodontitis and your pockets haven’t improved, your doctor may recommend surgery. Contact our family dentist in Edison, NJ, to determine whether Osseous surgery is right for you.

Osseous Surgery Procedure

Osseous surgery is to eliminate infection and bacteria in gum pockets. Typically, the procedure takes about 1 – 2 hours. It may depend on the patient’s need for additional procedures such as bone grafting.

The periodontist will begin by numbing the treatment area to prevent discomfort and keep you relaxed during the procedure. Next, the periodontist will open and lift back your gum tissues from the teeth and jawbone.

They will clean the pockets and smoothen the root surface using special tools. It creates a better surface for teeth and gums to reattach. Next, the gum tissues trim to fit the underlying structure. Lastly, they stitch the gums to facilitate healing.

Bone Grafting

Your periodontist can recommend bone grafting to repair your bone. The procedure entails placing new bone materials into the area where you’ve lost bone.

Osseous Surgery Aftercare

After the surgery, it’s normal to experience some side effects like pain, swelling, or sensitivity. Fortunately, your periodontist will prescribe some medication to manage that. Complete healing may take three to six months.

Your doctor will also give you a few aftercare instructions to facilitate faster healing and recovery. It can include:

• Take medication as prescribed.
• Brush and floss daily gently around the treatment area.
• Eat cool and soft food items. Avoid hot, acidic, hard, crunchy, and acidic items.
• Avoid smoking or alcohol consumption.
• Don’t suck, spit, rinse, or use a straw for the next few days.
• Rest adequately. Avoid strenuous physical activities like exercises for the next five days.
• Use an ice pack to manage pain and swelling.
• Use saltwater rinses after 24 hours.
• Notify your periodontist if your symptoms worsen or persist. Visit a dental clinic near you if you have a fever or infection.
• Go to your doctor’s follow-up appointments.
• Schedule regular oral checkups and cleanings.

Schedule An Appointment

Contact KK Dental Edison to talk with our oral surgeon in Edison for more information about Osseous surgery and periodontal disease.