Is Gum Surgery Necessary

Anyone suffering from gum disease, a serious and common condition, may be a candidate for gum surgery newark oh. Gingivitis is so common, that most adults will suffer from it during their life. How serious a patient’s gum disease is will ultimately dictate what steps can be taken to remedy it.

A simple cleaning could heal the gums if gingivitis is relatively minor. However, if gum disease if not treated, the condition will progress, and gum surgery may be required. Because prompt action is needed, patients should consult a dentist as soon as possible at the first sign of problems.

What is Gum (Periodontal) Disease?

Gingivitis, the most mild form of periodontal disease, starts when bacterial plaque builds up and hardens into tartar (calculus). Tartar can lead to gum irritation, inflammation, and bleeding. Because the symptoms of gingivitis are generally mild and the teeth remain stable, people often do not realize they have it. Regular dental checkups can identify early signs of gingivitis and if treated early, can prevent it from worsening into periodontitis.

Once periodontitis occurs, the normal bond between the gums and teeth is broken down by bacteria. When this happens, gum tissue pulls from the teeth creating pockets of bacteria along the gums. Because periodontitis will not clear up on its own, failing to treat the disease causes the infection to grow, recession to advance, and surrounding bone structures could be damaged.

Professional dental treatments, such as scaling and root planing, that remove tartar and plaque from under the gumline, may be able to treat periodontitis. But if the gums do not respond to these treatments, surgery may be required.

Why is Surgery Necessary?

Gum surgery is necessary for some patients whose gum disease has become severe. After conducting an examination, a dentist generally makes a surgical recommendation. Frequently, surgery is the only option to restore gums that have receded and pulled from the tooth structures. When gums recede, the teeth can appear longer than normal and because more of the tooth and root surfaces are exposed, the risks of developing decay and infection increase. Some patients also develop pockets in their gums making surgery necessary to restore the appearance and health of the gums.

Risks of Leaving Gum Disease Untreated

Nobody likes hearing they have to have surgery but there are serious risks if appropriate treatment is avoided. Adults that experience tooth loss, often do so because of untreated gum disease. As gum disease progresses, these patients wind up losing additional teeth as additional recession continues.

Adult tooth loss should be avoided at all costs because it is both inconvenient and expensive to correct. So while surgery may not be preferable, it is necessary for avoiding serious, and costly, complications.

Options with Gum Surgery

Gum surgery aims to restore the shape, size, and overall health of the gums. There are various forms of gum grafting procedures that involve stitching synthetic or real tissue around the gums and teeth. Other treatment options use lasers to regenerate gum growth. Because there are multiple treatment options for gum issues, patients should consult with their dentist or periodontitis to determine which is most appropriate for their situation.

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