Gum Surgery

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General Gum Surgery

A third of the population suffers from at least some form of gum diseases and common conditions such as deep pockets and bone loss. Gingivitis and Periodontitis are serious infections that if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. Symptoms of gum diseases include bad breath, bleeding gums, sore gums and teeth and changes in the bite. Gum surgery is required to determine the health of the tissue around the teeth and sometimes, removal of gum tissue (gingiva) and surgical reshaping of gum tissue around the teeth is necessary.

Gum Re-contouring

A "gummy" smile can make teeth look short and unattractive. Gum re-contouring helps to correct gummy smiles as well as asymmetrical gum tissues, creating a natural and even smile line.

Gum Grafting

Gum grafting can improve gums that have receded. Gums recede due to certain reasons like gum diseases, ageing, tooth position and physical trauma (brushing hard, often or with a hard brush). When gum recession is severe, the root of the tooth will be exposed and this makes the tooth sensitive to temperature changes and more prone to root decay. Soft-tissue grafts are used to increase gum tissue, cover the exposed root area, restrict sensitivity and ultimately, to prevent further recession.

PERIODONTAL DISEASE

'Perio' means around and 'dontal' means tooth. Periodontal disease is an infection that gradually destroys the tissue surrounding your teeth and the jawbone that supports them. Nearly 3 out of 4 people will be afflicted with some form of gum disease at some times in their life. This, it left untreated, often progresses to periodontitis and eventual tooth loss.

CHECK OUT IF YOU HAVE GUM DISEASE

Are your gums swollen or puffy?

Do your gums bleed when you floss or brush?

Do you have bad breath no matter what you eat?

Are the tips of your gums a colour other than pink?

Have your gums pulled back from your teeth?

Have the spaces between your teeth increased?

Do some or all of your teeth feel loose?

Has the way you bite down changed?

The more times your answer 'yes' the more likely it is that you need professional treatment.

Know your mouth

Our mouth is full of bacteria. In fact, our teeth are constantly being coated with a white layer (film) of debris and bacteria. This layer is called plaque. In a healthy mouth there is a natural balance of different bacteria. You can never completely get rid of all the bacteria in your mouth, but brushing and flossing help reduce the bacteria by removing plaque. If plaque is not removed over time, it will harden to from calculus (tartar). This calculus must then be removed by a dentist.

How does Periodontal/ Gum Disease develop?

Common causes of gum disease,

Poor oral hygiene, the root cause of gum disease is plaque.

Diet, nutritional deficiencies (e.g.vit.C deficiency), excessive alcohol consumption.

Habits, smoking, pan chewing, tobacco chewing, excessive use of toothpicks.

Dental causes large unattended cavities, irregular teeth, ill fitting dentures, ongoing braces treatment.

Medical causes, diabetes, pregnancy, use of oral contraceptives, steroids, etc.

GUM DISEASE COMES IN STAGES

Stage 1: Gingivitis

Poor brushing and flossing habits allow dental plaque to build up on teeth. Plaque contains germs which cause gum disease. Early signs of gingivitis may include some swelling, bleeding, tenderness or bad breath.

Stage 2: Periodontitis

When gingivitis in left untreated, plaque is allowed to accumulate and it begins to calcify (harden) and forms calculus or tartar. This calculus slowly begins to break down the gum and bone support of the teeth, leading to pocket formation and bone destruction. As the disease progresses, more bone get destroyed, the teeth loosen and eventually fall out or may need to be extracted. Periodontitis is a silent disease, where the bacterial infection of the gums and the supporting tissues usually occurs without pain.

Signs of Periodontitis include,

Bad breath

Red or swollen gums

loose teeth

Sensitive teeth

Pus coming from around the teeth

Pain on chewing

Tender gums

Bleeding gums

Sudden appearance of spaces between teeth

Stage 3: Advanced Periodontitis

You may experience receding gums with exposed roots, darker calculus. Pus if you press on your gums and some symptoms from stage 1 and 2.

Treatment of periodontal disease depends on how much damage the disease has caused. Since periodontitis affects more than just the gums, it cannot be controlled with regular brushing and flossing.

Treatment of periodontal disease is often extensive. The primary goals of all professional treatment are to promote reattachment of healthy gums to teeth, to reduce swelling, the depth of pockets, and the risk of infection, and stop further damage.

Treatment options may be non-surgical or surgical.

NON-SURGICAL OPTIONS

1. Scaling and root planning

Scaling, this is a type of cleaning. It removes plaque and tartar from the teeth and below the gum line.

Root planning, the dentist smoothens the root surfaces so that supportive tissues can reattach to the tooth surfaces. Local anaesthesia may be used, as this procedure goes deeper than regular cleaning. Your dentists may remove a small amount of infected gum tissue with a procedure called soft tissue curettage.

2. Antibiotics and Anti inflammatory

3. Bite correction

4. Splinting ( using adjacent strong teeth to support the week or mobile teeth)

Consult your dentist for more information on specific procedures.

SURGICAL OPTIONS

In later stages of the disease, depending on the severity, any of the following procedures may be indicated.

1. Gingivectomy

This procedure removes an overgrowth of gum tissue taking the gum level back to its original position.

2. Flap surgery

During this procedure an incision is made, a 'flap' is lifted. The gums are gently separated from the tooth, creating an access to the infected pocket. Deep deposits of plaque and tartar are then removed. The gum is than replaced on the tooth near the original gum line.

3. Reshaping the bone

Your dentist may perform osseous (bone) surgery to shape the bone after the flap sugary. The gums are sutured below the original gum line to reduce areas that trap plaque.

PREVENTION

Just professional treatment is not a cure for gum disease, it needs your dedication. Follow these simple tips as part of a self care programme,

1. Brush your teeth twice a day

2. Floss regularly to remove plaque from between teeth

3. Rinse your mouth thoroughly after each meal

4. Replace your brush every 3or 4 months.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

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