Gum Surgery
Gum Surgery
What is Gum Surgery?
Gum surgery (also known as periodontal surgery) is done to treat diseased and damaged gums.
Certain types of gum surgery can also help to regenerate lost tissue where there has been gum recession (receding gum line) and periodontal bone loss.
Gum surgery is sometimes indicated to help treat and control severe periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is a type of gum disease which can cause irreversible damage to your gums and bone surrounding the teeth (periodontium). As gum disease progresses from its early stages (gingivitis) to its later stages (periodontal disease), chronic inflammation of the periodontium results in bone loss and the formation of periodontal pockets around your teeth which trap more bacteria. Over time, teeth affected by periodontal disease can become loose and fall out. An individual suffering from periodontal disease may also experience pain from periodontal abscesses, difficulty eating hard foods, and bad breath.
Types of Gum Surgery
1.Open flap debridement (Pocket reduction gum surgery)
The firstline treatment for gum disease and periodontal disease is gum treatment (non-surgical scaling and root debridement). However, for patients who suffer from severe periodontal disease and have deep periodontal pockets non-responsive to conventional gum treatment, open flap debridement may be needed to allow better access and total eradication of tartar on the root surfaces of affected teeth.
This procedure is done under local anaesthetic and involves making a cut in the gums so a flap is raised over the diseased site. Once the flap is raised, this allows the dentist or periodontist to eliminate any dental tartar remaining deep under the gums. The bone is also sometimes reshaped as part of this procedure. The gums are then stitched back in place and left to heal.
2.Soft and hard tissue regeneration (Regenerative gum surgery)
With gum recession or a receding gum line, the root surfaces of the teeth may be exposed leading to sensitive teeth, a poor cosmetic appearance and an increased risk of root surface caries (decay). Soft tissue grafting is sometimes done in such cases to replace lost gum tissue. This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and involves adding tissue from a donor site (usually from the roof of the mouth, also known as the palate).
In cases of bone loss, guided tissue regeneration may be carried out in order to grow back lost tissue. This is done in certain cases of periodontal disease, as well as peri-implantitis (disease around implants resulting in bone loss).
3.Crown lengthening
Crown lengthening involves removing excess tissue (gums and/or bone). This is sometimes done in order to improve the cosmetic appearance of teeth (e.g. when one suffers from a “gummy smile”) or to create sufficient space for a restoration or dental crown to be placed when a tooth suffers damage below the gum line.
When might one need Gum Surgery?
You may benefit from gum surgery if you suffer from one of these:
- Periodontal disease (gum disease)
- Peri-implantitis (diseased implants)
- Gum recession/receding gum line
- Poor gum aesthetics (e.g. gummy smile or uneven gums)
- Deep decay or damage to teeth extending underneath the gum line
If you think you may need gum surgery, it is best to visit a dentist for a detailed examination and consultation. Your dentist will be able to best advise whether you are a candidate for gum surgery, and explain the benefits and risks of the procedure involved.