A Closer Look at Gingivitis Surgery
Gingivitis in its mild form can usually be treated and its effects even reversed without gingivitis surgery. However, in some cases the amount of bone and tissue loss can be so great that there is no other alternative but to extract the tooth or to undergo a surgical procedure to correct the damage. There are several types of surgeries that cater to people with gingivitis—these procedures all fit into a category called periodontal surgery. We are going to talk about the two most common types of periodontal, or gingivitis surgery, and look into the benefits and risks of each procedure.
Gum Grafts
A gum graft is a type of gingivitis surgery that aims to correct the damage and appearance of gum tissues which have receded, causing the teeth to look unnaturally long. Exposed teeth roots are one of the most noticeable effects of gingivitis, and while further recession can usually be prevented without surgery, a gum grafting procedure is the only way to restore the gums to their previous position. The ideal patient for this procedure is one whose roots have begun to decay, have acquired a large amount of plaque buildup, or are too sensitive to touch. Of course, there is always the aesthetic motivation of a patient wanting to restore their smile to its former glory.
The basics of this surgery are pretty straightforward. The periodontist will most likely “harvest” tissue from the roof, or palate, of the mouth. The tissue is then affixed to the existing gums where it will continue to grow and eventually fill in the area from which the original gum line has receded. The area of the palate where the grafting tissues were taken from is stitched or otherwise prepared for healing.
This surgery has a pretty good overall success rate, provided the patient takes extra care with their gums after the procedure. The gums are very sensitive and more susceptible to damage than usual during recovery time, and therefore should be treated with the utmost care during this time. Patients may be tempted to pull their lip back occasionally to get a look at their gums as they heal, but this can actually pull on the graft and cause it to fail. Most patients are instructed not to attempt to look at the graft for at least a week after the procedure, which gives the graft a decent chance to heal.
Gingival Flap Surgery
Gingival flap surgery is a procedure that generally caters to those whose roots have formed defects or have acquired a decent buildup or tartar and plaque. The ideal candidate for gingival flap surgery is one who has a moderate to advanced case of periodontitis which has not responded to the traditional methods of treatment, which include regular scaling and planing. During this surgery, the periodontist will use a scalpel to pull the gums away from the roots of the teeth. Once the roots are exposed, giving the surgeon direct access to the roots, he or she cleans away any tartar and plaque buildup on the roots. Some areas of the roots may even have sustained damage to the point that the bone is no longer smooth, but has become rough or slightly cratered. These areas can be buffed using a file which will smooth out the surface area. Pieces of inflamed gum tissue may also be removed during this time. Once the roots have been cleaned and smoothed, if necessary, the gums are stitched back into place and may be covered with a special oral bandage.
This procedure is very effective in treating the damage done to roots by periodontitis and helps to eliminate any pockets that may have formed between the gums and teeth. However there are certain long-term risks that the patient should be made aware of. For instance, after this procedure, the roots are more likely to form cavities and become sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. One’s gum line is also at a higher risk of recession later in life.