Do I Need Osseous Surgery?
The most common oral health condition among adults in the United States is gum disease. Gum disease can lead to issues that are detrimental to your teeth, oral health, and overall health. In its early stages, called gingivitis, the gums and tissues become inflamed. This early stage is typically easy to get rid of and does not cause any permanent damage. However, if left untreated, gum disease will continue to progress and can reach a point at which irreversible damage occurs and more invasive treatments, such as osseous surgery, are required to restore the health of your mouth.
What is Osseous Surgery?
Pocket reduction surgery, technically called osseous surgery, is a dental treatment recommended by a dental provider when nonsurgical treatments are no longer appropriate for treating gum disease. When gum disease is left untreated, it often results in the development of deep pockets between the teeth and gums where bacteria can hide, and infection can grow. Osseous surgery is a safe, common dental treatment used to remove these bacteria, reduce infection, and help the gums return to a healthier state.
The Osseous Surgical Procedure Explained
The osseous surgical procedure is usually recommended to eliminate areas of the mouth that support bacterial growth and help heal these affected areas. While the procedure overall may sound a little intimidating, the steps are relatively simple and include the following:
- First, a local anesthetic is applied to keep the patient comfortable during the procedure. The provider will numb the area being treated or the entire mouth, depending on the extent of the treatment.
- Next, they will make a small incision that will allow them to create a flap in the gum tissue to be able to access the underlying bone.
- Once they can see the bone underneath, the provider will proceed to shave or reshape any damaged or irregular areas. They will also clean and smooth the surface of the bone, so it is more difficult for bacteria to attach in the future.
- Once the bone has been cleaned and shaped, the gum tissue is brought back down, and stitches are placed, most often with dissolvable sutures.
Do I Need Osseous Surgery?
If your dental provider has recently recommended osseous surgery to treat your gum disease, it is important to take this recommendation seriously and follow through with treatment to prevent further bone loss. Providers commonly recommend this treatment option to patients who have gum disease that has progressed past the point at which non-surgical treatment would be successful. If you have deep gum pockets that have not improved with other periodontal treatments, you may need osseous surgery. Healthy gums have pockets that measure less than 3 millimeters deep. If your pockets are seven or eight millimeters deep, your provider may recommend osseous surgery to restore the health of your mouth and prevent further loss of bone and even tooth loss.
To avoid osseous surgery and additional procedures, gum disease should be addressed as soon as possible.
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