Treatment at a Glance
Treatment Type
Anaesthetic
Pre-Treatment Care
Recovery Time
What is Gum Disease?
Your gums are complex structures which support the teeth and allow them to function properly. Gum disease, known as periodontal disease, occurs where cleaning has not been effective and the area has become infected.
Gum, or periodontal, disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults and can cause bleeding gums, bad breath and teeth loss. The inflammation that arises from the bacteria that cause gum disease and poor oral health can also affect our general health, in some cases leading to serious degenerative diseases.
What is Periodontal Surgery?
For a significant number of patients, additional gum treatment is required to ensure adequate gum health. Periodontal surgery is a dental procedure that is used to treat advanced gum disease, periodontitis, and repair damage to the gums and supporting bone around your teeth.
The Treatment Process
Examination & Diagnosis
Before surgery, the dentist will assess the health of your gums. This usually includes taking X-Rays to measure the gum pocket depths around teeth, check for bleeding or loose teeth and determine if there is any bone loss. This will help the dentist to determine whether surgery is necessary or if deep cleaning is enough.
Non-Surgical Treatment
Non-surgical treatment will be carried out before surgery. This will involve professional deep cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar on the gums, smooth the tooth roots and reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth.
Re-Evaluation
After 4-8 weeks after your deep clean, the dentist will check for any signs of healing and if your gums look healthier. If not, they will recommend that periodontal surgery is carried out.
Surgical Treatment
Local anaesthetic will be used to numb the gums before a small incision is made. This will allow the dentist to gently lift the gum and removeany bacteria that is causing the infection. If bone loss has occurred, the dentist may add bone graft material during this stage.
Periodontal Surgery FAQs
1. What is involved in periodontal treatment at Blackhills Clinic?
We will carry out a series of appointments looking in detail at your gum health while discussing your individual oral health requirements. We will also carry out targeted cleaning under the gums to remove the periodontal disease, sometimes with surgery for specific sites.
2.How can I prevent periodontal disease?
Ensuring you brush twice a day and floss regularly can help prevent periodontal disease from occurring. Avoid smoking and maintain a healthy diet to also reduce the risk of periodontal disease.
3. How long does it take to get rid of periodontal disease?
Periodontal disease takes many years to develop and therefore cannot be treated quickly. There will be a series of appointments over several months to effectively manage the complexities of the disease.
4. Does peridontal surgery hurt?
Periodontal surgery is done under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during surgery. Although you may feel some mild pressure or movement. After the surgery, mild to moderate soreness for 3–7 days is normal, but this can usually be controlled with standard painkillers.
5. What does recovery look like?
Swelling and tenderness typically occurs during the recovery stage, but this should reduce within a week of surgery. After a month, your gum should be healed fully.
6. Can I eat after having periodontal surgery?
You should avoid any hard, crunchy or spicy food for 1-2 weeks following your surgery, to allow your gums and stiches to heal. Once they have healed you can resume eating as normal.
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Contact Information
5 Maidenplain Place, Aberuthven, Perthshire, PH3 1EL
8:30am to 5pm | Mon – Fri
01764 66 44 46