Procedures

Periodontal surgery

Advantages & benefits

The main goal of surgical periodontics is to establish (or regain) a stable support base for maintenance of the teeth, jaw joints, and jaw muscles (the "stomatognathic system"). Periodontal treatment can be thought of as "foundation work" to use building construction as a metaphor. Recent studies have demonstrated the accuracy of this comparison, as periodontal disease has now been associated with cardiovascular disease (the blood vessels of the heart), peripheral vascular disease (the blood vessels of the body), diabetes, strokes, pre-term labor, and low birth weight. Controlling periodontal disease has the advantage of reducing a patient's risk of experiencing these systemic problems.

Surgical periodontics enables patients to regain control over their oral health, when periodontal disease has progressed beyond a patient's ability to control the disease non-surgically. Preserving the teeth requires periodontal stability, and maintaining normal chewing function, jaw muscle and jaw joint health requires preserving the teeth.

Crown lengthening surgery allows teeth to be saved that otherwise may not be savable.

Supracrestal fiberotomy procedures prevent orthodontically straightened teeth from moving back to their previous orientation in the jaw.

Frenectomy procedures allow teeth to move into their ideal position in the jaw, and helps reduce the possibility of gums receding.

Soft tissue grafts provide durability to the gums around teeth, and can cover tooth roots, preventing sensitivity associated with receded gums.

Osseous (Bone) grafts allow ideal restorative dental procedures to be performed, including dental implants, fixed bridgework, and removable dentures. Bone grafts can also restore health around teeth with bone defects.