Periodontal Surgery Houston
Restore the Health and Appearance of Your Gums
Periodontal surgery not only restores the health of tissue damaged by gum disease, it can also be used to create aesthetic results that enhance the appearance of the mouth or help diagnose oral cancer through the biopsying of suspicious lesions.
Periodontal Disease Services
Gum disease occurs when plaque and bacteria build up under the gum line, and can range from a mild case of gingivitis to a more serious condition known as periodontitis. Treating gum disease is essential to preventing severe damage to the teeth, jaw bone and gum tissue, as well as tooth loss, and the earlier the situation is addressed, the more easily it can be corrected. In its early stages, gum disease may be treated with a routine cleaning and home-care regimen, but periodontal surgery may be required for more advanced cases.
Root Planing and Scaling
A procedure often performed on one quadrant of the mouth at a time, root planing and scaling scrapes the tartar from above and below the gum line and smoothes the rugged surfaces of tooth roots where bacteria accumulate. While typically performed manually, the root planing and scaling procedure may also be performed using a laser.
Surgical Treatment Options
When gum disease is so advanced that root planing and scaling proves insufficient, you may require periodontal surgery.
- A gingivectomy can remove and reshape portions of diseased gum, eliminating the pockets between the teeth and gum tissue where bacteria can gather.
- To clean the root of the tooth and repair bone damaged by gum disease, Dr. Lyons may perform a flap procedure such as osseous surgery. After a local anesthetic is administered, sections of the gum are drawn back in order to accommodate the deep level of cleaning. Sutures ensure that the gum forms a tight seal around the tooth as it heals, preventing the future buildup of bacteria.
Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery
Many patients turn to cosmetic dentistry in order to achieve teeth that are beautiful, straight, and white. However, healthy, attractive gums contribute greatly to the appearance of the mouth. While periodontal surgery restores health to mouths affected by gum disease, it can also be used as a cosmetic procedure to enhance the appearance of a person’s smile. For patients who believe that insufficient or excessive gum tissue is detracting from their smiles, periodontal surgery is available to recontour the gum line, providing symmetrical, attractive results that enhance the entire face.
- Soft tissue grafts and root coverage procedures cover the roots of teeth that have been exposed due to recession and periodontal disease. When gums recede, teeth appear longer, and the exposed root may experience sensitivity. Gum tissue from the roof of the mouth may be grafted in order to cover exposed roots and restore an aesthetically pleasing gum line. Root coverage procedures help regenerate healthy gum tissue while preventing further bone loss and inflammation.
- Patients who feel their smile is obscured or asymmetrical as a result of excessive gums may benefit from a crown lengthening procedure, which removes gum tissue in order to reveal more of the tooth. This periodontal surgery elongates teeth that appear short, and reduces the “gummy” appearance of the smile. After a mild anesthetic has been administered, the gums are pulled away from the teeth, and excessive gum tissue is removed. If necessary, bone surrounding the tooth root may be removed as well. Once the excess tissue has been excised, stitches help the gums form a tight seal around the tooth. In addition to providing cosmetic benefits, crown lengthening procedures may be used in preparation for restorative procedures, increasing the surface area of a damaged tooth so that it is capable of supporting a filling or crown.
Oral Cancer Biopsies
Because oral cancer is on the rise, recognizing and treating oral cancer is essential. Our doctors perform a thorough oral tissue examination during every routine cleaning. In a healthy mouth, mucosa—the tissue lining the oral cavity—is smooth and pink. Lesions or patches that appear on the mucosa could indicate the presence of oral pathologies, and may need to be biopsied to determine if they are in fact cancerous. These abnormalities may also be surgically removed in order to relieve discomfort and sensitivity. If you are experiencing oral abnormalities such as lesions, it is important to have them addressed by Dr. Lillian Lyons, our caring and qualified periodontist, promptly for early diagnosis.