Gum Grafting (Gingivectomy, Osseous Surgery) – Agawam, MA & Enfield, CT

As the gums begin to recess due to disease, our bodies lose a natural defense mechanism that once protected us from bacterial penetration and trauma. If you are suffering from recessed gums, NobelPerio can help with a procedure known as gum grafting.

If only a minor recession is present and some healthy gingiva remains, treatment may only include the alteration of your at-home oral hygiene routine. But if the recession has reached the mucosa, the first line of defense against bacterial penetration is lost.

Gum recession often results in sensitivity to cold and hot foods or beverages and an unsightly gum and tooth appearance. When gum recession is severe, the soft particles of the root surface may become exposed, leading to cavities and root gouging.

A gingival gum graft at NobelPerio can help solve these problems. During the procedure, a thin portion of tissue is removed from the roof of the mouth (or taken from adjacent areas) to provide a new, stable band of gum surface around the tooth. The grafts are most often used to cover the exposed section of the tooth's root, providing protection against bacteria.

This gingival graft procedure is highly successful with positive outcomes, resulting in a strong, healthy band of tissue, which functions and appears normal and attractive.

When gum tissue is too thick, covering the tooth surface and making the teeth appear too short, a gingivectomy may be necessary or recommended. This may be caused by medication, a jawbone that extends too close to the surface of the teeth, or inflammation from periodontal disease.

A gingivectomy is a periodontal procedure that eliminates excess gum tissue. The term "gingivectomy" is derived from Latin:

• "gingiva" means gum tissue,
• "-ectomy" means to remove.

The following are some reasons a gingivectomy might be needed:

Aesthetic: To make the teeth appear more normal in size in cases where the gum is covering too much.

Functionality: To remove excess gum tissue that has formed because of medications. 

Health: To shrink deep gum pockets that leave the teeth and gums susceptible to disease.

Local anesthesia will be administered to the areas that will receive treatment. Other sedation dentistry options are available upon request. Next, the excess gum tissue will be removed, using either a scalpel, rotary instruments, or a laser. In most cases, stitches and/or sutures are not necessary. You can expect the surgical sites to be sore for up to 48 hours. Prescription pain medication will be provided to help tolerate any discomfort experienced during recovery. A one-week follow-up appointment is typically needed to ensure proper healing.

Osseous surgery, sometimes called pocket reduction surgery and/or gingivectomy, is actually a number of different procedures that may be used to reach to the root of the teeth in order to remove tartar and disease-causing bacteria.

The primary goal of osseous surgery is to reshape abnormalities and reduce pockets in the alveolar bone that surrounds the teeth. This is commonly necessary to effectively treat the advanced stages of periodontal disease. Although “surgery” is used in the name, the treatment actually feels more like deep cleaning. Some of the specific goals of osseous surgery include:

• Minimizing Bacteria:
  Bacteria in the mouth can spread throughout the body, causing other serious health conditions, such as heart and respiratory disease. Removing deep plaque and tartar helps reduce the risk of bacteria spreading.
• Preventing Bone Loss:
  Bone loss can occur when the immune system responds to the presence of bacteria with inflammation, causing the teeth to fall out. Osseous surgery stops and prevents further periodontal disease by eliminating bacteria.
• Improving the Smile:
  Patients with periodontal disease often have unsightly smiles. Recessing or discolored gums, decayed teeth, and bad breath can leave a person feeling too self-conscious to smile with confidence. Osseous surgery and periodontal maintenance can help address many of these issues, restoring your mouth to a healthy, attractive state.
• Facilitating Home Care:
  It is often difficult, if not impossible, to properly remove plaque and bacteria from teeth with deep pockets. Osseous surgery reduces the size of the pocket, helping you to effectively clean your teeth, preventing worsening periodontal disease.

Local anesthesia will be administered to the treatment area before the procedure begins. Next, Dr. Ramirez will gently trim around each tooth in the affected area to release the gum tissue from the bone. Then, our team will clean the roots of the teeth using scaling techniques before reshaping the bone around the teeth. In some situations, the bone is removed to restore the bone to a normal shape. Bone grafting may also be necessary to fill in large defects.

Upon completion, the gums will be placed back over the remaining bone and sewn into place. The treatment site will be bandaged with a periodontal pack or dressing. Pain medicine and mouth rinses containing chlorhexidine will be prescribed following the surgery.

It is not uncommon for bleeding and swelling to occur after osseous surgery. These symptoms can be controlled by placing an ice pack on the outside of the treatment area. If bleeding or swelling is severe, contact NobelPerio for advice. You will be asked to attend several follow-up visits after surgery and to follow a detailed maintenance program during your recovery. This will help you to avoid infection.