Your
bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth. When this supporting
tissue and bone is destroyed, "pockets"
are formed around the
teeth where bacteria form its colony, resulting in further bone and tissue
loss. If you have pockets that are too deep to clean with
daily at-home oral hygiene and a professional care routine, then getting the
surgery is better option. Pocket reduction surgery folds back the
gum tissue and remove the bacteria before securing the tissue into place. In
some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas
where bacteria are sequestered. This allows the gum tissue to reattach to
healthy bone. If too much bone is lost, the teeth will need to be extracted.
Once the pocket depth
is reduced and daily
oral hygiene and professional care is followed regularly, the chances of
keeping your natural teeth stand increased. The chances of other serious health
problems associated with periodontal disease also decrease.
Regenerative
Procedures
Your periodontist may recommend a regenerative procedure when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed. These procedures can reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue. Regenerative procedures folds back the gum tissue and remove the bacteria. Membranes, bone
grafts
or tissue-stimulating proteins can be used to
encourage the ability to regenerate bone and tissue.
Guided tissue regeneration
stimulates bone and gum tissue growth. The procedure is done in combination
with flap surgery when a small piece of mesh-like fabric is inserted between
the bone and gum tissue. This blocks the gum tissue from growing into the area
where the bone should be. This allows the bone and connective tissue to start
growing again to better support the teeth.
Once it
eliminates the existing bacteria, the regenerating bone and tissue helps to
reduce pocket depth
and repair the damage
caused by periodontal disease. The chances of keeping your natural teeth stand
increased.