Everything You Need to Know About Osseous Surgery
If you have severe gum disease, your periodontist might recommend osseous surgery. While it’s normal to feel some anxiety when you hear the term “surgery”, there’s no reason to be frightened; not only is the procedure relatively pain-free, but it’s often the key to getting your gum disease under control. Below is a brief overview of everything you should know before having osseous surgery performed.
How Does Osseous Surgery Work?
Osseous surgery (also known as pocket reduction surgery) is performed when gum disease has reached the point where the bone in your jaw has started to decay. After your mouth is numbed, your periodontist will fold back your gums to access the bone and tooth roots. Harmful bacteria will be removed along with any decayed areas. Then, your tooth roots and any damaged parts of your bone will be smoothed; this helps address any pockets that might have formed between your teeth and gums.
At the end of the procedure, your gums will be stitched back in place, and you’ll be given the necessary aftercare instructions. In general, you’ll need to avoid physical activity and stick to a soft food diet for a while. Usually, you’ll be able to return to your normal routine within a few days.
What are the Benefits of Osseous Surgery?
When used to treat gum disease, osseous surgery has several important benefits for your long-term oral health:
- It eliminates the bacteria causing the infection, thereby stopping it from spreading any further.
- It reduces the size of periodontal pockets that could otherwise lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
- It strengthens your jawbone and improves the overall health of your gums.
- It allows your periodontist to create an environment where bacteria are less likely to thrive.
Are You a Candidate for Osseous Surgery?
General dentists don’t normally offer osseous surgery, so if you want to confirm whether this procedure is the best choice for you, you should consult with a trained periodontist. They will carefully consider your unique situation before making any recommendations.
Normally this type of gum surgery is only necessary if scaling and root planing have proven ineffective; this might happen if your periodontal pockets are already too deep. In these cases, osseous surgery is often the best way to stop the infection in your gums from growing more severe and spreading to other parts of your body.
In short, osseous surgery can be an important treatment for patients with advanced gum disease. If you’re told that you need osseous surgery, you shouldn’t put off the procedure any longer than you need to; the sooner you have it performed, the more likely you are to avoid even bigger oral health issues in the future.