Gum pain strikes fear into the bravest of patients. Sore, bleeding gums that keep worsening signal serious problems. Ignoring the issue rarely ends well. But even severe gum disease can improve through gum surgery. This treatment can help halt the damage. It also supports healing when coupled with diligent at-home care.
Early gum disease shows subtle symptoms like:
Mild redness
Slight swelling
Intermittent bleeding when brushing or flossing
As bacteria grow and inflammation worsens, gums retreat from the teeth. This creates pockets that trap more germs and irritation. Professional cleanings help temporarily. Yet, the issues keep returning, more painful each time.
When gum disease worsens into periodontitis, it damages tissue and bone. Teeth become very loose fast. Painful abscesses can also form. Just because the illness progresses fast does not mean you can give up on saving teeth.
In severe cases, gum surgery can stop the fast tissue and bone loss. It reshapes shrinking gums. The dentist lifts away infected gum flaps from teeth. This exposes hidden bacteria. Precision cleaning of tooth roots and diseased tissues enables healing and regeneration. These intensive procedures halt the active gum infection. They also support healing of the gums and bone.
Three main gum surgery techniques bring significant benefits:
Flap Surgery
This surgery lifts the gum tissue. It uncovers hidden infections underneath while protecting the gums. After careful cleaning under the gum line, the dentist stitches the flap back over the tooth and bone. Then, they add bone grafts to the visible roots. This promotes the regrowth of bone. As the flap rejoins during recovery, the pockets get smaller. This helps stop new infections.
Bone Grafting
If the disease damages the jawbone, regeneration materials fill in gaps. This reduces the loosening of teeth. Grafting material made of bone fractions or synthetic mixtures packs into trouble spots. This allows the natural growth to entwine the particles into living bone again. For stabilization, implants may require grafting at the same time.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
Using specialized membranes over sutured gums can also help. It encourages selective regrowth of bone, connective tissue, and epithelium. This helps diseased tissue heal in the desired shape while blocking errant cells. Resorbable films eliminate additional removal procedures. Adding bone growth factor proteins boosts the effects of regeneration.
Recovery takes several months before the beautiful, final results become clearly visible. During the initial weeks, stick rigorously to wound care instructions. Diligent oral hygiene helps prevent repeat gum damage. Consistent care keeps infection from taking hold, so gums reattach tightly.
As the gums heal over subsequent months, teeth feel less mobile. This indicates stabilized bone. Gum color normalizes, too. The slightly brighter hue of newly regenerated tissue fades with time. Lingering sensitivity likewise improves with diligent at-home oral care.
Early days bring substantial discomfort, typically requiring medicines to treat pain. It’s crucial to follow all guidelines for eating and drinking during recovery. Healing occurs fastest if patients honor activity restrictions during the critical period.
With carefully planned treatment, even severe gum disease can improve. Surgery arrests rapid tissue and bone loss, so diligent ongoing care restores health. Dentists help plot the best surgical course. However, patients must stick to crucial routines for oral hygiene and follow-up appointments for the best results. This two-pronged approach offers the greatest chance of recovery.
For more on gum surgery, visit Implant Dentistry Periodontics & Facial Rejuvenation at our Wesley Chapel, Florida office. Call 813-517-0100 to schedule an appointment today.
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