What is periodontal surgery?
Periodontal surgery is the technique used to treat the tissues of the mouth affected by periodontal disease or pyorrhea, a chronic bacterial infection that attacks the gums, ligament and bone surrounding the tooth.
Why is it performed?
Periodontal surgery allows the dentist to clean contaminated tissues, smooth the root surfaces of the damaged tooth and remove pockets of infection.
Periodontal surgery allows replacement or reconstruction of damaged structures using bone-like materials and transplantation of lost gum tissue. In this way, the gums can be reattached to the base of the teeth. The surgery must be followed by periodontal maintenance to complement the treatment.
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What are the objectives of periodontal surgery?
- Elimination of inflammation: First of all the main objective is to get the inflammation to stop.
- Control the infection: It is about creating an oral environment that allows the control of the bacterial plaque that caused the infection. To achieve this, a gingival sulcus is created to control the periodontal disease and prevent it from spreading further.
- Regeneration: Once the infection has been controlled and it is certain that it will not reproduce again, it is time to start the regeneration to maintain an adequate aesthetic effect on the patient. In addition, the area is prepared to accommodate, if necessary, a prosthetic element to replace the natural piece in order to maintain the aesthetic effect.
- Aesthetics: The necessary measures are taken for the patient to regain his best smile, with dental prostheses, if necessary, or simply with the recovery of the area.
Care after surgery
On the day of the intervention, the patient is recommended to bite a gauze for a minimum of 1 hour, and if bleeding is noticed, the gauze should be changed for a new one. It is very important not to rinse the day of surgery to avoid bleeding and promote proper healing.
You should have good oral hygiene and rinse with Chlorhexidine (from the second day) for two weeks. In addition, the operated area should be brushed with the soft brush provided by the dentist.
As for food, hard and hot foods should be avoided and you will have less discomfort if you eat on the non operated side. In addition, local ice should be used during the first 24 hours (alternating with periods of rest) to reduce the inflammatory process.
It is favorable to sleep with two pillows during the first days. It is very important that you take the medication prescribed by your dentist according to the detailed guideline.