What is periodontal surgery?
Is often recommended when pockets are too deep to clean withdaily home care and a professional care routine. Usually when pockets are >5mm and there are no healing after non-surgical therapy despite very good oral hygiene.
Arethere different types of periodontal surgeries?
Yes, the periodontist usually take measurements using aninstrument called periodontal probe and with the help of radiographic images,
they can plan on what treatment would be the best to treat the existing deep
pockets. The surgery could be one of the following:
1. Open flap debridement:
This includes, opening the gum tissue and cleaning the deep pockets, stitching the gum tissue back in place.
2. Pocket elimination:
This includes cleaning the deep pocket, removing or contouring bone irregularities and diseased soft tissue.
3. Periodontal regeneration:
Is the gold standard.However, it depends on the bony defect shape and extent of the damage. In this procedure we try to build up the lost bony tissue by using bone particles and collagen membrane. You can discuss thetype of bone to be used with your specialist as some patients refuse using some types of bone from animal origins due to religious or personal reasons.
1. Autogenousgrafts: grafts transferred from one position to another within the sameindividual.
2. Allogeneicgrafts: grafts transferred between genetically dissimilar members ofthe same species.
3. Xenogeneicgrafts: grafts taken from a donor of another species.
4. Alloplasticmaterials: synthetic or inorganic implant materials, which are used assubstitutes for bone grafts.
Arethere any complications?
Yes, there is no 100% guarantee. However, most procedures are considered successful. Maintaining good oral hygiene, quitting smoking, can
reduce risk of infection and poor wound healing.
Other complications, as a result of some procedures mentioned above you may end with some degree of gingival recession exposing the roots.
However this can be maintained with regular reviews and good oral hygiene.