PERIODONTOLOGY

Periodontal disease (“periodontitis”) attacks the gum and bone around the teeth, as well as the ligaments that support the teeth and hold them in the jaw. Their primary cause is bacterial plaque that determines gum swelling. In the earliest stage, periodontal disease is called gingivitis and can be totally cured with appropriate treatment and strict hygiene. If not properly treated, it may progress to periodontitis and end up in tooth loss.

Gingival Flap Surgery

Gingival flap surgery, also known as pocket reduction, is an invasive cleaning procedure recommended in cases in which pockets are too deep to clean. It is often associated with bone loss and gum inflammation around the tooth.

Our specialists will perform this procedure when scaling and root planing have proved ineffective in complete removal of the damaged tissue in the pockets or when bone loss requires osseous recontouring.

During this procedure, performed under local anesthesia, the doctor will employ a laser equipment to make small incisions in the gum so that it can be lifted and the teeth and bone examined thoroughly.  The whole area is meticulously cleaned; tartar and infected tissue are completely removed before the bone is examined. Since bone loss often occurs in such cases, osseous recontouring is required so that the gum heals properly. After removing plaque, tartar, and the infected tissue, irregular surfaces of the damaged bone are smoothed to enable the gum tissue to better reattach to a healthy bone.

Soft Tissue Grafts

Soft tissue grafts are used to cover exposed roots or develop gum tissue where absent due to excessive gingival recession. During this procedure, a thin layer of gum tissue is taken from your palate (roof of the mouth) or an adjacent area in order to restore the tissue in the area of recession and cover the exposed root. This can be done for one tooth or several teeth to even your gum line and reduce sensitivity. A soft tissue graft can reduce further recession and bone loss, tooth sensitivity, can cover exposed roots to protect them from decay, and improve the esthetics of your smile. In some cases, roots need to be covered in order to be protected from decay since it is common knowledge that root tissue is much more prone to decay.

Bone and Gingival Augmentation

Surgical augmentation treatments, along with non-surgical treatments, are performed when the periodontal disease has reached a more advanced stage.

Augmentation is a surgical procedure that uses a barrier membrane and/or a bone graft as replacement material placed under the gum and over the remaining bone support (ridge or jaw bone) to aid the regeneration of new bone in an area where teeth are being extracted or have already been removed. The graft material may be taken from the patient's own body (autogenous) or artificial, synthetic, or natural substitutes may be used. This prevents the bone from collapsing into the extraction socket after the removal of a tooth. If this procedure is not carried out, the ridge will be reabsorbed, become narrow (horizontal resorption), short (vertical resorption) and sharp and it will not be possible to insert an implant or a comfortable-fitting denture.

Guides Tissue Regeneration

This procedure is performed in tandem with a surgical flap operation enabling a coordinated growth in gingival, bone, cementum and ligament cells in order to repair the defect.

Periodontal Regenerative Procedures

A regenerative procedure is often recommended when the bone supporting your teeth has been destroyed. It is possible to reverse some of the damage by regenerating lost bone and tissue. The gum tissue is folded back and the bacteria causing the disease are removed. Membranes (filters), bone grafts or tissue-stimulating proteins can then be used to encourage your body's natural ability to regenerate bone and tissue. There are many methods that will enhance support for your teeth and help to restore your bone to a healthy level.

The benefits of this procedure include the total elimination of existing bacteria and the regeneration of bone and tissue which helps to reduce pocket depth and repairs much of the damage caused.