Gum disease treatment methods vary according to plenty of factors, including how long your gum disease has developed. When first-line solutions like scaling and root planning fail to deep clean the affected space between your teeth and gums effectively, a periodontist may recommend that you consider osseous surgery in San Antonio, TX. Performed by a knowledgeable dental professional, osseous surgery can help save tooth and bone, as well as prevent gum disease from developing.
Read on to learn more about the techniques used to perform osseous surgery, as well as what you can expect from the procedure long-term.
How Osseous Surgery Works
Osseous surgery is sometimes referred to as flap surgery. This is because the periodontist surgically draws back the gums to gain access to the places hardest hit by moderate to severe gum disease. Once the periodontal pocket is exposed, the periodontist uses advanced instruments to remove unhealthy gum tissue and deep clean the area. The periodontist then sanitizes and polishes the teeth and surrounding bone, smoothing any rough surfaces to prevent bacteria from forming and growing in the area.
After the cleaning and resurfacing is complete, the periodontist re-attaches the healthy gum tissue. With proper at-home care, patients who receive osseous surgery in San Antonio, TX have less of a chance of seeing a recurring infection or losing their teeth. Usually, osseous surgery does not need to be performed again as long as patients follow wise oral hygiene protocols and maintain regular cleaning visits with a periodontist.
Can You Tell If You Need Osseous Surgery in San Antonio, TX?
You may already suspect (or know from a previous appointment) that you have gum disease. Maybe your gums are red and swollen. Perhaps they bleed all the time or emit an unpleasant odor that does not respond to brushing or mouth rinses. These can all be signs of early to advanced gum disease. However, you cannot determine what type of gum disease treatment makes sense until you visit a periodontist.
Only a periodontist with years of expertise like Dr. Andrew J. Weber can tell if you would benefit from osseous surgery in San Antonio, TX or another type of procedure or surgery. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Weber in San Antonio or New Braunfels, TX, please contact our Excellent Dental Specialists office at (210) 794-7747. The sooner you schedule your evaluation, the sooner you can get your gum disease diagnosed, staged, and treated.
