Some medical and dental procedures sound much scarier than they actually are; others sound much less important than they can be. Pocket reduction surgery is one dental procedure with a name that doesn’t tell people a whole lot without some explanation. As a result, many people don’t understand the potential benefits of pocket reduction surgery in Orlando for treating periodontitis.
What is periodontitis?
Periodontitis is the most serious form of gum disease. (The less serious form of gum disease, and one that can be treated and reversed with improved dental hygiene habits, is called gingivitis.) Unlike gingivitis, periodontitis can’t be treated and reversed just by brushing and flossing. Left untreated, periodontitis destroys gum tissue and bone tissue in your jaw. As periodontitis progresses, your gums recede — shrink away or detract — from your teeth. As your gums recede, pockets are formed that allow bacteria and acids to accumulate and cause infections that destroy more and more tissue and form deeper and deeper pockets. Over time, it’s a process that accelerates and feeds upon itself, and one that can end with tooth loss. How can periodontitis be treated? One method of treatment for periodontitis is to undergo pocket reduction surgery near you.
What is pocket reduction surgery?
To determine if you require pocket reduction surgery to treat periodontitis, your dentist in Kissimmee will use an instrument called a periodontal probe to measure the gap between your teeth and your gums. When your gums are healthy, that gap will be no more than three millimeters and won’t bleed when probed. If your gum pockets are more than five millimeters deep, though, you require pocket reduction surgery to reduce the depth of those pockets to prevent the accumulation of bacteria and the acceleration of your infection.
Pocket reduction surgery is also called osseous surgery. The procedure is performed by a dentist near you in their office under a local anesthetic. Your dentist will fold back your gum tissue and remove all bacteria before putting the gum tissue back into position and reattaching it to your teeth. If you have suffered severe bone loss depending on the progression of your periodontitis, your dentist in Kissimmee may also perform a bone graft or guided tissue regeneration to restore bone tissue in your jaw before reattaching your gum tissue to your teeth. Just how long any particular procedure will take depends on the seriousness of your condition and how many teeth are being treated. Before any procedure begins, your dentist will develop a detailed treatment plan based on dental images and examinations to ensure there are no avoidable surprises and that you know exactly what to expect.
Your dentist will take all measures necessary to remove any existing infection and to prevent the development or spread of infections, including providing antibiotic medications. If you are concerned about pain and discomfort or experience fear or anxiety when it comes to dental procedures, don’t hesitate for a moment to discuss those concerns with your dentist. Dental fear and anxiety are common, and talking about those issues is the first step to coming up with solutions. Your dentist will explain all the options available for minimizing discomfort, including options such as laser surgery, the range of pain medications available, and the options for providing treatment with the benefit of sedation dentistry to ensure you are relaxed and calm.
What about after surgery?
Once your surgery is completed, you’ll notice a bandage in your mouth that looks a lot like chewing gum. Your dentist and their staff will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions to minimize the risk of any complications or infection, including instructions about how to rinse your mouth; reduce swelling with icepacks; eat after your surgery, and follow-up appointments.
If your dentist has recommended treatment for periodontitis, every week you delay increases the risk to the health of your teeth, gums, mouth, and body. Pocket reduction surgery is a simple and straightforward procedure that can eliminate those risks and restore your oral health.