What is Osseous Surgery?
When your gums are healthy, you can tell. Healthy gums are pink, not inflamed, and fit snugly around the teeth. For individuals with gum disease, small pockets or gaps may begin to develop between the teeth and gums. When these pockets become deeper than 5 mm, harmful bacteria can hide there, and the pockets become difficult to clean at home or even during a professional cleaning by a hygienist. These bacteria, if left untreated, can continue to attack the gums and cause more damage. It is at this point that a dentist may recommend osseous surgery.
Osseous surgery
Osseous surgery, often called pocket reduction surgery, is a dental procedure designed to get rid of bacteria living in the pockets between the teeth and gums. During the procedure, an oral surgeon folds back the gums, removes the bacteria, and repairs damaged bone underneath. The main goal of osseous surgery is to reduce the pockets. If left untreated, gum disease pockets can eventually lead to tooth loss. The procedure usually takes about two hours and is performed by a periodontist.
What to expect during osseous surgery
At the beginning of the procedure, the periodontist will numb your gums. After the gums are numbed, the periodontist will make a small incision along the gumline and fold back the gums to remove the bacteria underneath. Once the bacteria are removed, the periodontist will smooth down any areas where the bone is damaged or irregularly shaped. If the bone is severely damaged, additional procedures may be needed. Finally, after the bacteria are removed and the underlying bone is cleaned up, the gums will be stitched back into place and covered with a periodontal dressing to help manage the bleeding.
Recovery from osseous surgery
Fortunately, osseous surgery has a high success rate at repairing the damage to the gums and bone caused by gum disease, and in most cases, you can return to your normal routine within a few days of the procedure. Your periodontist will give you specific post-surgery instructions to follow. Some people experience tooth sensitivity, mild pain, and light bleeding after surgery.
Practicing the following habits will help you recover quickly:
- Avoid smoking and tobacco use. Tobacco slows the healing of the tissues in the mouth. If quitting is difficult, your periodontist can help build a treatment plan that works for you.
- Avoid using straws until your mouth has fully healed.
- Stick to soft foods for the first few days to allow the gums to heal.
- Avoid physical activity for several days after surgery.
- Rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water after the first 24 hours.
- Apply an ice pack to the outside of your face to help manage swelling.
- Take pain relievers to help control the pain for the first day or two.
Following your periodontist’s post-surgery recommendations will help you heal faster and get the best results. Maintaining good oral hygiene after the procedure is important for helping your gums stay clean and heal properly. If you notice severe pain, heavy bleeding, or any signs of infection, contact your periodontist right away.
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