What is periodontal surgery?
It is often recommended when pockets are too deep to clean with daily home care and a professional care routine. Usually when pockets are >5 mm and there is no healing after non-surgical therapy despite very good oral hygiene.
Are there different types of periodontal surgeries?
Yes, the periodontist usually takes measurements using an instrument called a periodontal probe and with the help of radiographic images.
They can plan on what treatment would be the best to treat the existing deep
pockets. The surgery could be one of the following:
1. Open flap debridement:
This includes opening the gum tissue and cleaning the deep pockets and stitching the gum tissue back in place.
2. Pocket elimination:
This includes cleaning the deep pocket and removing or contouring bone irregularities and diseased soft tissue.
3. Periodontal regeneration:
It is the gold standard. However, it depends on the bony defect shape and extent of the damage. In this procedure we try to build up the lost bony tissue by using bone particles and a collagen membrane. You can discuss the type of bone to be used with your specialist, as some patients refuse using some types of bone from animal origins due to religious or personal reasons.
1. Autogenous grafts: grafts transferred from one position to another within the same individual.
2. Allogeneic grafts: grafts transferred between genetically dissimilar members of the same species.
3. Xenogeneic grafts: grafts taken from a donor of another species.
4. Alloplastic materials: synthetic or inorganic implant materials, which are used as substitutes for bone grafts.
Are there any complications?
Yes, there is no 100% guarantee. However, most procedures are considered successful. Maintaining good oral hygiene, quitting smoking, reduce risk of infection and poor wound healing.
Other complications, as a result of some procedures mentioned above may end with some degree of gingival recession exposing the roots.
However, this can be maintained with regular reviews and good oral hygiene.