What To Expect From Periodontal Surgery
When a patient is set to undergo periodontal surgery, it’s only natural for them to feel trepidation. Any time the word surgery is tossed around people start to worry. The good news is that most of the time, this technique is straightforward and relatively painless, and you’ll be feeling better in no time.
Of course, it’s important to have a dental specialist who you can trust. At Grand Lake Dental, our entire team is fully committed to the health and wellbeing of our Grove-area patients. Our number one goal is to treat everyone who visits our dental office like a member of our own family.
Let’s take a look at what exactly periodontal surgery is and what you can expect before, during, and after the procedure.
What is periodontal surgery?
Periodontics is the area of dentistry that specifically focuses on the supporting structures that surround the teeth. This primarily means the gums, and any types of inflammatory disease that may damage the gums. These supporting tissues are collectively known as the periodontium, which is comprised of the gingiva (the gums), the alveolar bone, the cementum, and the periodontal ligament.
One of the most common ailments affecting the gums is gingivitis. It is considered mild compared to some other periodontal diseases, and can be recognized by inflammation, swelling, and redness of the mucosal tissues, and even mild bleeding when brushing or flossing. There is not usually any pain involved, and gingivitis can generally be treated with improved dental hygiene before it progresses to more serious ailments.
Periodontitis is a more serious gum infection that is the result of the build up of bacterial plaque and can lead to damage of the soft tissue and, in the worst cases, the surrounding jawbone. In the most advanced cases, surgery may be required to repair the damage and root out the infection.
The goals of periodontal surgery can include eliminating the bacterial infection, preventing tooth loss, and reducing the gap between the gums and the teeth (a condition known as black triangles). In extremely severe cases, it may be necessary to regrow damaged bones and tissues and reshape the jaw to reduce the likelihood that bacterial growth returns in bone crevices.
What happens during the procedure and how can you prepare for it?
Before coming in for your periodontal procedure, your dentist should provide you with guidelines on how to prepare. You’ll likely be asked to stop certain medications up to two weeks prior, and to avoid smoking or alcohol for at least 24 hours beforehand. Patients may also be prescribed an antibiotic to lower the risk of infection.
The procedure itself will involve some kind of sedation or local anesthesia, so it’s highly recommended you arrange for someone to drive you afterwards.
Depending upon the severity of your condition, there are several recommended surgical options. The first of these is known as flap surgery. This is when the dentist makes small cuts in the gums and lifts some of the tissue away from the teeth. This allows them to remove bacteria and plaque build up underneath your gums that would have been unreachable otherwise. The tissue is then sutured back into place.
In severe situations, it may be necessary to undergo a bone graft. This is a procedure that involves using small pieces of natural or artificial bone to spur the natural regrowth of your jaw. At the same time, you might undergo guided tissue regeneration or a soft tissue graft, which operates under a similar principle to trigger the regrowth of soft tissues that have been previously damaged.
Another way to promote bone and tissue growth is to apply a protein gel to a diseased tooth root.
The severity of your condition will determine what type of procedure is necessary and how long it will take. In most cases, periodontal surgery is a pain-free technique that can be done in one to two hours. When stitches are necessary, you’ll be scheduled for a follow up appointment to remove them after seven to ten days.
How long does it take to recover after periodontal surgery?
Following surgery, your dentist will go over what to expect in the coming days and what actions you need to take to ensure the best possible recovery. Here are a few things to look out for:
First of all, you should not be surprised to see minor bleeding in the hours following the procedure. If your dentist has placed gauze in your mouth, keep it in place for one to two hours. Try to avoid rinsing or spitting for the next 24 hours to allow for natural blood clotting to occur.
Swelling is also to be expected. This can be reduced by the application of cold compresses on the outside of the mouth where the surgery took place. Be sure to apply intermittently, as sustained cold exposure can be damaging to your mouth.
Your doctor might provide you with pain medication and/or antibiotics. Follow the directions carefully for when and how to take any medications. An added benefit is they often include an anti-inflammatory effect that can help reduce swelling.
One of the most common aftereffects of oral surgery is numbness that is a result of the anesthetics you were given during the procedure. This can last up to 8 hours afterwards. Be careful during this time period, as it is easy to bite your lip or tongue without realizing it.
One of the most common questions is what can you eat or drink after surgery. Your dentist should also give you detailed instructions regarding when and how you can resume eating. To start, it’s usually recommended to consume soft foods, such as oatmeal, soup, scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, bananas, and the like. Drink plenty of water, and avoid spicy or highly seasoned foods that can be irritating post surgery.
Your Grove, Oklahoma Periodontal Surgery Specialist
It’s important to treat any surgical procedure, even minor ones, seriously. At Grand Lake Dental, Dr. Karl Jobst heads a professional, experienced team that is well trained in the latest techniques and uses the most advanced equipment. We are strongly committed to the health and comfort of our patients. Contact us today for all your periodontal needs.