Over the years, we have fielded a lot of questions about the surgeries performed by Dr. Suzanne Caudry and her excellent staff. Students and newcomers to the field always want to learn from Dr. Caudry, and potential patients always have questions of their own, too.
Most recently, we have been receiving a lot of questions about periodontal surgery. Some of these include:
- What is periodontal surgery?
- When should a patient consider undergoing surgery?
- What are the benefits?
Over the course of this blog post, we will explore these questions. When necessary, we'll dig a little deeper into the subject for added clarity. By the end of the blog post, you'll know all there is to know about these cutting-edge surgical practices. Call us at (416) 928-3444 if you would like to learn more about our practices and the other services we offer.
What Is Periodontal Surgery?
Periodontal surgery refers to the processes undertaken to fight gum disease (also known as periodontitis), as well as conditions such as gingivitis. People refer to these surgical processes as gum surgery, as well.
What Can Periodontal Surgery Do for Me?
Has someone in your life recently undergone oral surgery to treat gum recession or gum disease? Have you been living with gum disease for quite some time, but you're unsure if it justifies another visit to the periodontist?
We believe that a patient should consider periodontal surgery if they are at risk of compromising their oral health. In most cases, the benefits of oral surgery simply outweigh the setbacks.
Do you live with swollen, red, or bleeding gums? Do you have loose teeth? Does it hurt when you chew your favourite foods? These are just a few of the reasons you might want to consider periodontal surgery in the near future. What's more, they're all symptoms of gum disease.
Procedures offered by professional oral surgeons can address problems related to:
- Bacteria buildup beneath the gums
- Hard-to-clean teeth
- Bone loss
- Bleeding gums
- Ongoing gum recession, infection, and other problems.
Types of Periodontal Surgery
There are several different types of gum and periodontal surgery. Each of these surgical methods is incredibly effective, but they're also aimed at addressing specific problems. The primary procedures are as follows:
Flap Surgery
During flap surgery, your oral surgeon makes small incisions in your gum to access the parts of the tooth hidden beneath it. We call this unexposed part of the tooth “the root.” Flap surgery is by far one of the most popular surgical methods explored in our facilities-and with good reason. Through flap surgery, your surgeon can remove bacteria and unwanted tartar from that area beneath your gums. After cleaning the area, the surgeon closes the flap while making sure that the gum also fits snugly against the tooth itself.
Bone Grafting
You might have heard about bone grafts on television's popular medical dramas, but did you know they're also common in the world of oral surgery, too? It is true. When tooth loss or gum disease has left you with insufficient jaw bone, oral surgeons conduct bone grafts. The stronger your jaw, the better it will be able to support new dental implants-and the less you will have to worry about future bone decay.
The grafted material is from organic bone material, synthetic bone, or a finely calculated mixture of both material types.
Soft Tissue Grafting
You might not know what gum recession is, but you have probably seen it on other people. When a person's smile looks too “toothy” or the roots of your own teeth become more and more visible over time, you're witnessing gum recession in action.
Gum recession stems from gum disease, as well as aggressive brushing and flossing. Over time, as the gums recede from the original gum-line, the roots become more and more exposed, leaving them vulnerable to bacteria and plaque. Soft tissue grafting restores gums to their former glory, giving your teeth the protection they need.
Where Does Soft Tissue Come from?
Depending on the extent of the graft, some oral surgeons may suggest harvesting tissue from an area near the surgical site. For many, they'll take a small flap of skin from the roof of the mouth.
The four main types of grafts are:
- Connective-tissue grafts
- Allografts
- Free gingival grafts
- Pedicle grafts
There are many benefits to each of these graft procedures. Celebrated oral surgeons like Dr. Caudry always know which approach will work best for a patient.
Preparations for Surgery
Prior to your surgery session, your oral surgeon may ask you to stop taking certain medications, if possible. Most dentists also advise against drinking or smoking in the 24-hour period before surgery, as well. In some cases, you may be prescribed an antibiotic. Antibiotics decrease the possibility of infection in the recovery stages.
We also suggest that you find someone to drive you home after your surgery. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may feel too drowsy to drive.
What to Expect from Recovery
The recovery period for these surgeries varies from person to person. It all depends on the extent of the gum disease and your overall health. Your oral surgeon and their team will provide you with reading material and detailed instructions for the recovery period. For a period of several days, a week, or longer, you may be asked to steer clear of certain foods and excessive brushing. The closer you stick to these guidelines, the faster you will improve.
Learn More About Dental Surgery Now
At our facilities, we lead the charge in local periodontal surgery. As the years go by, we predict we will only continue to refine our practices and expand our facility's capabilities. We invite you to stay in the loop by keeping up with our blog. We'll continue to share informative posts about your most frequently asked questions, the latest innovations, and more!
Do you have further questions? Comments of your own? Don't hesitate to let us know. Write an email or call us at (416) 928-3444 today.