There are many important tissues that support the structural and overall health of your teeth. When these tissues become infected, you could be dealing with gum disease. As gum disease, or periodontal disease, progresses, the options available for adequate treatment decrease. One option available in such situations is osseous surgery.
At Pinnacle Periodontics & Dental Implants, we offer periodontal disease treatments in Matthews near Charlotte, Indian Trail, Monroe, Carmel, and Ballantyne to curb the progression of gum disease and prevent tooth loss.
If you are considering getting osseous surgery, understanding what to expect at all points during treatment is important. Our periodontist in Matthews, NC, Dr. Eric D’Silva, is equipped to answer all of your questions and provide effective treatment for gum disease.
What is Osseous Surgery?
Osseous surgery is one of the more invasive treatment options for periodontal disease. As periodontal disease progresses, one of the symptoms patients may experience is reduced gums. This reduction can create pockets where bacteria can hide and further disease progression. The main goal of osseous surgery is to clear the concealed plaque and close these pockets in the gumline.
Who Needs Osseous Surgery?
As gum disease progresses, your gums can become inflamed and reduced, creating pockets between your teeth and gums. These pockets provide places for bacteria to replicate that are harder to get to by simply brushing or other less invasive treatments. Osseous surgery is recommended for patients with moderate to severe gum disease, which other treatments would not be effective.
How Osseous Surgery Treats Gum Disease
During osseous surgery, your periodontist will cut along your gum line to observe the condition of your gums. Then, they will clear the root of your teeth of any plaque and repair your dental bone as needed to reduce the pockets around your teeth. Finally, they will reposition your gums and close the incisions with stitches.
Closing these pockets prevents the progression of gum disease by clearing the bacteria from hard-to-reach places where the disease can progress further.
Osseous Surgery Procedure Details
Your periodontist will evaluate the affected area of your gums to determine whether your gum disease is advanced enough to require surgery and the scope of the affected area. However, there are other details patients should know prior to surgery.
Preparing for Osseous Surgery
Ultimately, your periodontist will go through your medical history and walk you through what to expect during and after your surgery. In general, patients should expect to be advised to stop taking blood-thinning medications before surgery. Smoking and drinking 24 hours before and after your procedure should also be avoided. Patients who opt to use sedation should have a friend or family member prepared to drive them home after their procedure.
Osseous Surgery Treatment Time
There are a couple of factors that can affect the total treatment time of osseous surgery. The patient’s reaction to sedation or numbing agents is one of them. Generally, the pocket reduction takes around two hours in total.
Osseous Surgery Cost
There are also many factors that affect the cost of osseous surgery. The number of teeth that need to be treated, disease progression, and the dentist’s expertise are all factors that impact the cost of surgery. Generally, gum disease treatment can range from $4,000 to $6,000 but can increase if the disease is severe, and these numbers don’t take into account other services that may be needed, like x-rays or post-surgery visits to support a positive treatment outcome.
For the most accurate cost, patients should consult with their dental insurance provider to review their coverage.
Recovery and Outlook After Osseous Surgery
Osseous surgery is an incredibly effective treatment for gum disease that has progressed beyond milder interventions. However, patients should be aware of all possible outcomes of this surgery.
Side-Effects and Risks of Osseous Surgery
Osseous surgery, while effective, is still a major procedure to have done and does come with a level of risk. Some negative side effects patients should look out for post-surgery include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Teeth sensitivity or tooth root cavities
- Infection or gum recession
Patients should be on the lookout for these or any abnormal symptoms after surgery and contact their dentist if negative symptoms persist.
Osseous Surgery for Gum Disease in Matthews, NC
Gum disease is a condition that can negatively impact the health of your teeth and your confidence in your smile. Our periodontist in Matthews, NC, specializes in treating conditions that affect the gums and can help you restore the health and appearance of your gum line.
Let Pinnacle Periodontics & Dental Implants and our periodontal disease treatments in Matthews help you restore your gum line and your smile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and improve your oral health.
