How Long Does It Take For Gums To Heal After Osseous Surgery?
Gum or periodontal disease affects millions of adults and children each year. While it’s very common and easily treated when caught in time, gum disease can develop in an advanced stage called periodontitis, leading to bone loss, tooth loss, and other oral complications.
Osseous surgery is one of the best options for patients with advanced gum disease or periodontitis. The surgery is vital if other non-surgical treatments like root planing and scaling are ineffective.
Is Osseous Surgery Necessary?
The surgery helps remove bacterial plaque and calculus from deep gum pockets using regular or deep cleaning.
If not removed, these bacterial infections spread to the nearby structures and can enter the bloodstream, leading to serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Removing these infections stops the progression of gum disease and allows your gums to heal faster and prevent further health complications. Routine dental cleanings and exams can help detect and treat gum disease early before it progresses to periodontitis. Visit our gum specialist near you if you suspect you may have gum disease.
Osseous Surgery: What to Expect
Once you get to the dental office, our oral surgeon in North Brunswick will begin by preparing you for the procedure. They will numb you to prevent pain during the procedure.
Next, the dentist makes incisions in the gum tissue to access the periodontal pockets. Then, they carefully clean out any bacteria, plaque, diseased tissues, and bone in the area.
Next, the dentist reshapes the gums and bone and stitches back the gum tissues snugly around the teeth and roots. Gum reshaping closes the gum pocket and prevents the risk of newer infections and other pockets from developing. It also makes it easier to maintain healthy gums and teeth.
Sometimes a patient may need additional procedures after the surgery. For instance, removing or tightening the gum tissues can make your teeth look longer or spaced, affecting your smile. Gum grafting may be necessary to achieve a natural gum line and smile.
Osseous Surgery After-Care Tips
Since the procedure involves incisions through the gums and sometimes the jawbone, it’s normal to experience minor bleeding, swelling, bruising, or pain in the next few days following the surgery. Below are tips on how to manage your symptoms:
- Activity: After surgery, we recommend having someone take you home. At home, limit your activity for the next 48 hours. Completely avoid exercises or activities that require regular lifting or bending. When resting, use a soft pillow to keep your head elevated.
- Discomfort: Once the anesthesia wears off, you will experience some discomfort. Your dentist will prescribe some medications to manage the discomfort. You can also apply an ice pack on the cheek to reduce the pain.
- Infections: Since the surgery opens up gums, you’re more susceptible to infections. The dentist will prescribe some antibiotics to prevent infections and allow your gums to heal faster.
- Swelling: The dentist will prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to minimize swelling around the area. You can also use a cold compress on the outer cheek for about 20 minutes.
- Bleeding: It’s normal to bleed for a few hours after the surgery. Bite on a gauze until the bleeding stops.
- Oral hygiene: Follow your dentist’s instructions about when to resume regular brushing and flossing.
- Diet: Since your mouth will be sore for the next few days, choose cool and soft foods like soups, soft vegetables, scrambled eggs, and mashed potatoes. Avoid hard, chewy, sugary, acidic, and spicy foods and beverages.
When to Call Your Dentist
While rare, complications can happen following your osseous surgery. Call our dentist in North Brunswick, NJ, or visit an emergency dental clinic near you if you experience:
- Severe, persistent, or worsening pain, swelling, or bleeding
- Pus around the treated area
- Bad breath or taste in the mouth
- Fever
How Long do Gums Take to Heal?
Since the procedure involves tissue incisions, the healing time is longer than laser surgery or non-surgical treatments. On average, gum healing may take a few weeks to a month or more, depending on the nature of the surgery. Follow your periodontist’s or dentist’s aftercare instructions strictly to promote faster healing and recovery.
Are You Interested in Gum Disease Treatments?
For more information about osseous surgery and other gum disease treatments, contact KK Dental – North Brunswick.