Pocket Reduction Therapy
Pocket Reduction Therapy
Osseous surgery, also referred to as reduction surgery, is a number of different surgeries aimed at gaining access to tooth roots with the goal of removing tartar and disease-causing bacteria.
Goals of Osseous Surgery
By reshaping deformities and removing pockets in the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth, osseous surgery is an important surgery for those with periodontal issues. It is a common necessity in effective treatment of advanced periodontal diseases. The ultimate goal of osseous surgery is to reduce or hopefully eliminate the periodontal pockets that cause periodontal disease. Despite the word "surgery" the procedure is often reported to feel more like a very thorough cleaning.
The specific goals of osseous surgery are as follows:
Reducing Bacterial Spread
Bacteria from one's mouth can spread throughout the body. Removing deep tartar and bacteria helps reduce the risk of the bacteria spreading and damaging or infecting other parts of the body.
Preventing Bone Loss
The immune system's inflammatory response prompted by periodontal bacteria leads to bone loss in the jaw, causing teeth to loosen and fall out. Osseous surgery is performed to stop periodontal disease before it progresses to this level.
Enhancing the Smile
Mouths plagued with periodontal disease tend to be unsightly. Brown gums, rotting teeth, bad breath, and ridge indentation can leave a person feeling self-conscious and unwilling to smile. Fortunately, osseous surgery can help reduce bacteria and disease, thereby restoring your mouth to good health and increasing your self-confidence.
Facilitating Home Care
As gum pockets deepen, they can become impossible to brush and floss correctly and adequately. Osseous surgery reduces pocket size, making it easier to brush and floss, thereby preventing further periodontal disease and issues.
What to Expect During Osseous Surgery
Drs. Cristoforo or Carmosino will use a local anesthetic to numb the area prior to surgery. They will then treat each tooth of the affected area to release the gum tissue from the bone. This allows access to the bone and roots of the teeth. After the roots have been thoroughly cleaned through scaling, [the bone around the affected teeth will be reshaped. Bone grafting may also be necessary to fill in any large defects.
The next step of osseous surgery is placing the gums back over the bone and suturing them in place. The site may also be covered with a periodontal pack (bandage) or dressing. Pain medication and chlorhexidine mouth rinses are typically prescribed after the surgery.
Don't be alarmed if bleeding and swelling occur after the surgery. This is common, and can be controlled easily by placing an ice pack on the outside of the affected area. In cases where the bleeding and swelling is in excess, it is advised that you call our office to let us know.
Several follow up visits may be necessary, and you must fulfill a meticulous maintenance program, especially during the initial phases of healing so as to avoid post-operative infection.