Surgical Procedures

A range of surgical treatments may be available to achieve a number of aims:

• gain access to the root surfaces
• reduce the depth of periodontal pockets
• regenerate lost periodontal attachment
• increase the amount of tooth above the gum for restorative procedures (crown lengthening).
• graft tissue into areas where disease has resulted in loss of gum tissue.
• dental implants may be an option when teeth have been lost.

These treatments are undertaken using local anaesthetic.

Surgical debridement

In cases of severe periodontal disease with deep pocketing which cannot be accessed via non-surgical debridement, surgical access may be required to treat specific sites. The gum is lifted to achieve direct access to the calculus deep under the gum along the root surface and, once the infection has been mechanically debrided, the gum is stitched back into position around the tooth.

Crown lengthening

This may be recommended for:

• aesthetics: to improve the appearance of the teeth by lifting the gum.
• function: to provide more tooth structure above the gum for crown construction.

Gum grafting

Grafting can be used to cover roots exposed due to recession from, for example, past periodontal disease or tooth brush damage.

This may be considered for:

• aesthetic reasons
• to treat uncontrolled sensitivity or
• to improve your plaque control.

During the procedure, a graft is taken either from the palate (roof of mouth) or from a donor source. It can be used to treat one or several teeth.