Periodontics is the area of dentistry involving treatment of the gums and other tissue that surround and support the teeth called the periodontium. And while dentists have long known that maintaining the health of this tissue is of paramount importance to keeping your teeth healthy, recent research indicates that it may also help stave off a number of chronic conditions throughout the body. Periodontal disease—a set of inflammatory diseases of the periodontium—has been linked to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and more.
In cases where simple cleanings, root planning and scaling are not enough to effectively treat inflamed gums, surgery may be necessary. Surgical treatments include:
Flap Surgery/Pocket Reduction Surgery
During this procedure, the gums are lifted, tarter is removed from under the tissue and, when warranted, irregular surfaces under the gums are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. The gum is then fitted snugly back over the tooth to keep bacteria-causing food particles from slipping under the gum line.
Bone Grafts
Bone grafts involve replacing bone destroyed by gum disease with fragments of your own bone, synthetic bone or donated bone. The graft then serves as a platform for bone regeneration.
Soft Tissue Grafts
Tissue from the roof of the mouth is stitched to the gums in places where they have receded, adding tissue to the affected area.
Guided Tissue Regeneration
In cases where the bone supporting the teeth has been destroyed, special mesh fabric is inserted between the gum and the area where the destroyed bone once was. The mesh keeps the gum tissue from growing into the empty space and inhibiting bone regeneration, and new bone is encouraged to grow.
Bone Surgery
Shallow craters in the bone supporting the teeth are smoothed to inhibit bacteria growth.
For information about the Ferber Dental Group, dental implants, dentures or periodontal concerns, call 561-439-8888 or visit www.ferberdental.com.
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