Different Types of Gum Surgery
Usually, daily brushing and flossing, accompanied by regular visits to the dentist can keep your teeth and gums in good health. However, despite practicing proper oral hygiene, gum diseases can still occur. Dentists recommend Gum Surgery as gum disease treatment if a gum disease is detected in an oral exam. Gum Surgery can improve or correct the gum appearance or adjust the gum and bone level to restore the health of your teeth and gums. There are also cosmetic gum surgery procedures that aim to improve the appearance of the gums and teeth.
Gum Surgery for diseases
Gum disease can cause many different issues such as bleeding gums, discomfort when eating, bad breath, etc. There are also many different types of gum disease treatment to fix different gum diseases, some include:
- Receding gum treatment (aka Gum Graft)
- Gingival Flap Surgery
- Gum Regeneration
Gum Graft surgery involves taking tissue from the roof of the mouth and stitching it into place on the sides of a tooth that is exposed due to receding gums. This surgery helps even the gum line and reduce sensitivity.
Gingival Flap Surgery is used to cure Gingivitis which is inflammation of the gums caused by a film of plaque or bacteria which accumulates on the teeth over long periods of time. In Gingival Flap Surgery, gums are separated from the teeth for deep cleaning and then stitched back into place around the teeth. In some cases, bone reshaping is sometimes required during the surgery.
Gum Regeneration surgery involves folding back gum tissue to remove bacteria. Next, bone grafts, membranes or proteins that stimulate tissues are inserted to promote gum tissue regeneration around the teeth.
Cosmetic Gum Surgery
Cosmetic gum surgery, also called plastic periodontal surgery is performed to improve the aesthetics of the mouth and gums. It can correct uneven gum lines, problems with missing teeth and include restorative procedures like crowns and bridges. Some cosmetic gum surgery procedures include
- Crown lengthening
- Ridge augmentation
- Soft tissue grafting
In Crown lengthening surgery, the outline of the gum tissue is changed to expose more tooth structure. This procedure is also required in restorative surgery to make more room for crowns to be aligned properly. Aside from improving the appearance of gums, it also reduces the chances of developing a gum disease.
Ridge Augmentation surgery is used to correct uneven gum lines due to tooth loss. Typically, when a tooth is removed, the gum surrounding the bone collapses to form an indentation which can affect the smile of the person. This procedure is considered the inverse of crown lengthening because in the treatment the gum tissue is increased to make a new tooth look more natural and attractive. Bone loss can also be prevented when a tooth is removed or lost by using this surgery
Soft tissue grafting, also known as subepithelial connective tissue grafting is performed to prevent recession of the gums and to protect uncovered root surfaces. In soft tissue grafting a layer of healthy tissue is removed from some other location and placed over the site of gum recession. This procedure is required to protect the tooth and the root from being exposed. Gum tissues surrounding the bone not only protect the teeth from outside but also make them more pleasing to the eye.
Why go for gum surgery?
There are many reasons why one might consider going for gum surgery. Usually, a dentist or dental expert will recommend corrective gum surgery if you are in the early stages or already have a gum disease before it causes more damage.
