What is Pocket Reduction Surgery?
Periodontal or flap surgery in the simplest sense is designed to gain access to deeper areas of the roots of teeth and clean the damaged areas.
The main advantage in using this procedure is that visual access is obtained and therefore the thoroughness of the debridement (cleaning) is improved.
The Procedure
Flap surgery is essentially similar to other various periodontal surgical procedures. Access to the roots is accomplished by elevating a "flap" of the gums. The roots are thoroughly cleaned and thorough removal of the disease-causing bacteria is performed before securing the tissue into place. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone. Most patients are back to work the next day.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease and to help you maintain a healthy smile. Eliminating bacteria alone may not be sufficient to prevent disease recurrence. Deeper pockets are more difficult for you and your dental care professional to clean, so it's important for you to reduce them. Reduced pockets and a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care increase your chances of keeping you natural teeth - and decrease the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.
Periodontal or flap surgery in the simplest sense is designed to gain access to deeper areas of the roots of teeth and clean the damaged areas.
The main advantage in using this procedure is that visual access is obtained and therefore the thoroughness of the debridement (cleaning) is improved.
The Procedure
Flap surgery is essentially similar to other various periodontal surgical procedures. Access to the roots is accomplished by elevating a "flap" of the gums. The roots are thoroughly cleaned and thorough removal of the disease-causing bacteria is performed before securing the tissue into place. In some cases, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to limit areas where disease-causing bacteria can hide. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone. Most patients are back to work the next day.
What are the benefits of this procedure?
Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease and to help you maintain a healthy smile. Eliminating bacteria alone may not be sufficient to prevent disease recurrence. Deeper pockets are more difficult for you and your dental care professional to clean, so it's important for you to reduce them. Reduced pockets and a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care increase your chances of keeping you natural teeth - and decrease the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.
