Periodontal disease is an infection of the gums — an issue that can negatively impact your teeth, your gums, and the bones that support the teeth in the mouth.
Patients who have periodontal disease, also known as gum disease, may experience the following:
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath
- Gums that bleed easily, are swollen, or pull away from the teeth
- Space between the gums and teeth
- Pain in the mouth
Once it sets in, the most effective way to manage the issue is to undergo periodontal surgery to repair the cause of those symptoms.
What Does Periodontal Surgery Do?
Essentially, periodontal surgery will remove the infection and bacteria that are causing the pain, discomfort, bleeding, and swelling caused by periodontal disease.
Depending on the type of periodontal surgery chosen by the dentist, the specifics of the procedure will vary.
Can Bone Grafting or Tissue Grafting Fix Periodontal Disease?
Yes. Both of these are viable options for managing the problems caused by periodontal disease if the gum disease has damaged the bone or tissue around the teeth or tooth root.
This is done by grafting the patient’s bone, a synthetic bone, or donated bone to the damaged bone to trigger a natural regeneration of the bone.
The same is done with tissue grafting when the gums recede. A small amount of tissue from the mouth is taken and attached to the gums that are receding. Unlike bone, however, gums do not naturally regrow so the grafted tissue will take the place of the missing gums.
What Is Periodontal Flap Surgery?
Periodontal flap surgery is probably the most common form of surgery for periodontal disease. In this form of surgery, small cuts are made in the gum tissue that create flaps, which are lifted up so the dentist can remove all the bacteria and tartar that has built up under the gums and on the tooth.