Be true to your teeth, or they will be false to you. The gum is a soft tissue lining within the mouth that holds up the teeth. If optimal oral health is not adhered to, the gum is susceptible to various infections. Gum diseases, also known as Periodontal diseases, are often Gingivitis and Periodontitis. A gum specialist is known as a periodontist.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gum due to bacterial infestation. Gingivitis is notable by red swollen gums, that are often bleeding. Food debris within the teeth mix with saliva and form a dental plaque within the gum. Bacteria sprout within the plaque and damage the gum leading to bleeding.
Periodontitis, on the other hand, is a severe advancement of gingivitis. The bacteria escalate and damage the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. With time, the alveolar bone deforms, pulling away from the teeth.
Depending on the magnitude of the periodontal disease, your periodontist may opt for a gum procedure; a periodontal surgery.
[See: Gum Recession Treatment in Los Angeles]Who is a Periodontal Surgery Candidate?
Illness
People suffering from gingivitis and periodontitis may often need periodontal surgery. The gum surgery aims to reshape the jaw bone, averting teeth loss, and reconstructing damaged tissues.
Cosmetics
Illness is not the only reason for gum surgery. Some people go for cosmetic periodontal surgery. People with Gummy Smile choose Gum Contouring, to reshape their gums. Gum contouring entails lengthening of your teeth crown to improve their appearance. Gingivoplasty is another cosmetic periodontal surgery procedure. Gingivoplasty reshapes the gum tissue and aims to reconstruct asymmetrical gums and gum trauma.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of periodontal diseases?
- Swollen gums
- Bleeding gums
- Tooth sensitivity
- Space pockets between teeth
- Habitual bad breath
- Gum recession
- Pus in gums
- Loose teeth
How to Prepare For Gum Surgery
- Take all your prescribed pre-operative antibiotics to truncate the possibility of infections.
- Stop using blood thinners such as Aspirin, Coumadin 24 hours to the surgical procedure.
- Book your periodontal procedure after mealtimes if you have diabetes. To avert low blood sugar, visit your periodontist in the morning or after lunch when you have eaten.
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco 24 hours to the procedure.
- If you are on sedatives, avoid drinking anything 12 hours to the periodontal procedure.
- Get a chauffeur to drive you home after the procedure. Sedatives and anesthesia may affect your mental judgment.
- Be sanguine and radiate positivity.
Gum Surgery Procedure
There are several periodontal procedures to correct different gum anomalies.
Periodontal Flap Surgery
The flap surgery aims at correcting the pockets formed around the teeth. Pockets are spots on the gum where the gum pulls away from the teeth. Tar forms in these zones, thus attracting inflammatory bacteria. The periodontist attempts to clean off the tar with a piece of ultrasonic equipment. If the tar does not clear off, he may opt for flap surgery.
Under anesthesia, the periodontist makes a tiny incision on the gum, separating it from the tooth. The exterior gum tissue folds, giving ingress to the tooth’s root. The inflamed tissue is removed, and the tooth cleaning commences. The opening is covered up, and the administration of sedatives proceeds.
Soft Tissue Grafting
Soft tissue grafting reconstructs the gum recession. Gum recession is where the tissue enveloping the teeth pulls away, exposing the tooth’s root. The periodontist often incises a small piece of tissue from your upper mouth palate and extracts some connective tissue. The removed tissue is then grafted on the recessed spot and stitched. Gum graft cost from $600 for the less advanced cases.
Bone Grafting
This periodontal procedure is similar to tissue grafting. Tooth decay and trauma ofte