Periodontal Surgery: Rebuilding Healthy Gums and Bone

Periodontal surgery is often necessary to treat advanced gum disease (periodontitis) or other conditions affecting the health of your gums and supporting bone structure. If left untreated, these issues can lead to tooth loss, bone damage, and serious oral health problems. Dr. Cosimi performs periodontal surgery to restore health to your gums and ensure the longevity of your smile.

Periodontal surgery refers to a variety of procedures designed to treat severe gum disease or correct structural issues affecting the gums and bone supporting your teeth. The goal of these surgeries is to eliminate infection, restore the gums, and promote the healing of any damaged tissue or bone.

Depending on the extent of your condition, Dr. Cosimi may recommend one or more of the following procedures:

• Gum Flap Surgery: This procedure involves lifting the gums back to allow access to the infected areas of the bone and root surfaces. After cleaning the area, the gums are sutured back in place.
• Bone Grafting: When the bone around the teeth has been damaged by infection, bone grafting is used to regenerate and restore lost bone tissue.
• Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR): This technique uses special materials to encourage bone and tissue growth where it’s needed most.
• Crown Lengthening: If there’s not enough tooth structure above the gum line, crown lengthening can be performed to expose more of the tooth for restoration.

You may need periodontal surgery if you have:

• Advanced gum disease (periodontitis): If the infection has spread beyond the gums and into the bone, surgery may be required to restore your oral health.
• Receding gums: Severe gum recession may need surgical intervention to protect the tooth roots or prepare the mouth for future restorative procedures like dental implants.
• Bone loss: When infection or disease has caused significant bone loss around the teeth, surgery can help regenerate and rebuild the supporting bone structure.
• Infected or abscessed teeth: Periodontal surgery may be necessary to treat areas of infection or abscesses that don't respond to other treatments.

Periodontal surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia, ensuring that you are comfortable and pain-free during the procedure. Depending on the complexity, Dr. Cosimi may also offer sedation options for added relaxation.

After surgery, you can expect a recovery period, which may involve:

• Swelling and mild discomfort, which can usually be managed with prescribed pain relief.
• Special care instructions to promote healing and minimize the risk of infection.
• Follow-up visits to ensure proper healing and monitor your progress.

While recovery times vary, most patients can resume normal activities within a few days to a week.