Osseous Surgery
Osseous procedures, sometimes referred to as pocket reduction surgery or gingivectomy, refers to a number of different procedures aimed at gaining access to the tooth roots to remove tartar and disease-causing bacteria.
Goals of Osseous Procedures
Osseous procedures are used to reshape deformities and remove pockets in the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. It is a common necessity in effective treatment of more advanced periodontal diseases. The ultimate goal of osseous procedures is to reduce or eliminate the periodontal pockets that cause periodontal disease. Although this procedure is a “surgery” it is reported to feel more like a thorough cleaning. The specific goals of this procedure include:
Reducing Bacterial Spread:
Bacteria from the mouth can spread throughout the body and affect other life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and respiratory disease. Removing deep tartar and thereby bacteria can help reduce the risk of bacteria spreading.
Preventing Bone Loss:
The immune system’s inflammatory response prompted by periodontal bacteria can lead to bone loss in the jaw region, and cause teeth to fall out. Osseous procedures seek to stop periodontal disease before it progresses to this level.
Enhancing the Smile:
Mouths plagued with periodontal disease are often unsightly. Brown gums, rotting teeth, and ridge indentations can leave a person feeling depressed and too self-conscious to smile. Fortunately, osseous procedures can help reduce bacteria and disease and thereby restore your mouth to its former radiance, while restoring confidence at the same time.
Facilitating Home Care:
As the gum pocket become deeper, it can become nearly impossible to brush and floss adequately. Osseous procedures reduce pocket size, making it easier to brush and floss, and thereby prevent further periodontal disease.
What does the procedure entail?
A local anesthetic will be used to numb the area prior to the procedure. First, Dr. Usman will make a conservative incision around each tooth of the affected area to release the gum tissue from the tooth. This allows access to the diseased gum tissue and roots of the teeth. After the roots have been thoroughly cleaned through scaling; different tools will be used to reshape the bone around the teeth. Bone is contoured in some areas to restore the normal rise and fall of the bone, but at a lower level. Bone grafting may also be necessary to fill in large defects.
Next, the gums will be placed back over the roots and sutured in place. The site will also be covered with a bandage (periodontal pack) or dressing. Pain medicine and mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine are generally prescribed following the procedure.
The body’s initial healing response to treatment typically involves bleeding and swelling after the procedure. This can be controlled easily by placing an ice pack on the outside of the treated area. Several follow up visits may be necessary and a meticulous maintenance program must be followed especially during the initial phases of healing to avoid post-operative infection.