Osseous surgery, also known as pocket reduction surgery, is a dental procedure used to treat advanced periodontal (gum) disease. It's typically performed when non-surgical treatments like deep teeth cleaning and root planing aren't enough to manage the condition.
Purpose of Osseous Surgery
The goal is to reduce the depth of gum pockets that form around teeth due to gum disease. These pockets can harbor bacteria, making it difficult to clean the area properly, which can lead to bone loss and tooth instability.
There are numerous bacterial species that may be present in periodontal pockets, and only professional cleaning of the oral cavity, with scaling and root planing, can correct this condition.
Since bacteria form a bacterial biofilm on the surface of the tooth, which over time becomes calcified (forming tartar), only scraping will have an effective effect on tartar. Simple tooth brushing at home is incapable of removing it.
The dentist may use an ultrasound device to remove tartar from the teeth. Scraping and cleaning can also be done with specific instruments called periodontal curettes. A bicarbonate jet can also be used to polish the area.
The goal is to leave the area clean, polished, tartar-free, and with biofilm removed. This will reduce inflammation and stop bone loss. It is important to note that the patient must do their part and maintain good oral hygiene.
Sometimes, osseous surgery is indicated so that the pocket area is open and exposed to the dentist, who will perform scaling and root planing. In this case, this procedure is called subgingival scaling.
With periodontal surgery and gum opening, the dentist can access areas that are inaccessible with traditional deep cleaning. Likewise, with this surgery, it is possible to access aggressive bacterial groups, called anaerobic bacteria (which do not use oxygen), which would be impossible to remove without surgical intervention. These anaerobic bacteria are related to bone loss and deep periodontal pockets.
After the dentist has professionally cleaned and scraped the periodontal pockets, it is up to the patient to clean the area better so that the process can stop. Periodontal disease can only be cured with the patient's cooperation, who must be careful about cleaning their mouth.
Procedure Steps
- Anesthesia: The area is numbed to ensure comfort.
- Incision and Flap Creation: The dentist or periodontist makes small incisions to lift the gums away from the teeth.
- Cleaning: Plaque, tartar, and bacteria are thoroughly removed from the tooth roots and bone.
- Bone Reshaping: If the bone has been damaged or developed irregularities due to infection, the surgeon will smooth these areas to promote better gum reattachment.
- Gum Repositioning: The gums are stitched back into place to reduce the size of the pockets.
- Healing: A protective dressing may be applied to support recovery.
If it has been a while since your last deep teeth cleaning, osseous surgery might be recommended, depending on the health of your teeth and gums. If this is recommended for you, don’t panic! Contact us today, and we can discuss osseous surgery and your options for making it as comfortable and successful as possible.