Surgical Procedures

When the damage caused by periodontal disease has progressed to the point that it can not effectively be managed by non-surgical treatment, there are a variety of procedures available to attempt to arrest this destructive cycle.

The bone lost as a result of the periodontal disease can often be regenerated and pockets that retain bacteria can be reduced to improve your ability to clean and maintain your teeth.

Laser Dentistry

Having a healthy mouth is key to maintaining good overall health and well-being. We provide personalized care designed to support your oral health. We utilize the latest technology such as Periolase® laser treatment to provide a more comfortable and progressive means of treating moderate-to-severe gum disease.

Osseous Surgery

Osseous surgery is designed to modify and reshape deformities in the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. It is a common requirement in effective treatment of more involved periodontal disease. In some instances, the bony support of the tooth assumes an unusual configuration as a result of uneven progression in disease. When this occurs, modification of the altered bone support may be indicated.

Flap Surgery

When you have periodontal disease, the supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth. Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to thrive. As bacteria accumulates and advances this can result in bone and tooth loss.

Flap surgery is performed to remove tartar deposits and reduce the periodontal pocket, making it easier for you or your dental professional to keep the area clean. The gums are then sutured back in place so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth again.

A pocket reduction procedure is recommended when daily at-home oral hygiene and professional care routine cannot effectively reach these deep pockets. Pocket reduction surgery is the attempt to alleviate this destructive cycle, and reduce the depth of the bacteria-harboring pockets.

In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone.

Gingivectomy

A gingivectomy is necessary when the gums have pulled away from the teeth, creating deep pockets. The pockets make it hard to clean away plaque. Gingivectomy is usually done before gum disease has damaged the bone supporting your teeth.

The procedure involves removing and reshaping loose, diseased gum tissue to remove pocketing between the teeth and gums. After removing the gum tissue, a puttylike substance, known as a membrane is placed over your gum-line. This will protect your gums while they heal. If you maintain good dental care after surgery, a gingivectomy is likely to stop gum disease.

Frenectomy

A frenectomy is the surgical removal of a frenum in the mouth. A frenum is a fold of tissue that passes from the movable lip or cheek to the gum. When a frenum is positioned in such a way as to interfere with the normal alignment of teeth or results in pulling away of the gum from the tooth surface causing recession, these are often removed using a surgical process known as a frenectomy.

Guided Tissue Regeneration / Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that involves adjusting the level of gum tissue and bone around a tooth to better accommodate a new crown or restoration. This is necessary when there is decay deep below the gumline. This procedure allows for greater cleansability around restorations with greater resistance to future periodontal disease and/or decay.

Guided Bone Regeneration

This surgical procedure uses a barrier membrane which is placed under the gum and over the remaining bone. Its goal is to support and enhance regeneration of new bone in an area where teeth are being extracted or have already been removed. This is done to build up the bone support in preparation for placement of dental implants.

Dental Implants