Your gums are vital to your overall oral health. Although that soft, pink skin might seem delicate, gums do a lot to protect your teeth and your jawbone.
Unfortunately, periodontal disease, the most common oral disease in the country, can compromise the health of your gums and the rest of your mouth.
The damage that comes from periodontal disease can be significant. Without treatment, bacteria inflames your gums, erodes your teeth, and even begins to break down bone. But the good news is that periodontal surgery can stop that damage in its tracks.
While the term periodontal surgery encompasses a number of procedures, they all have a similar goal: to improve the function and appearance of your smile. J. Paul Fuentes, DDS, DABP, and Andrew Peterson, DMD, MS, along with the rest of our team at Arcadia Perio specialize in advanced periodontal surgery to help you achieve better oral health.
So if you’ve been told you have periodontal disease and you need surgery to fix it, here are some facts to help you feel more confident in your care.
The primary goal of most periodontal procedures is removing plaque and tartar buildup on your teeth. Your mouth naturally contains bacteria, and over time, it hardens and sticks to your teeth.
Brushing your teeth removes harmful buildup, but if you don’t remove it all, periodontal disease may develop.
The longer plaque and tartar stay on your teeth, the harder teeth are to clean. Periodontal surgery is a type of deep cleaning that goes below your gumline to thoroughly clean each tooth. Once your procedure is done, your teeth may be the cleanest they’ve ever been.
If you’re nervous about the thought of oral surgery, you’re not alone. Periodontal surgery requires going deeper into the tissues of your gums, but many of these procedures are considered minimally invasive.
Deep cleanings, root scaling and planing, and LANAP laser dentistry usually don’t require incisions. More advanced treatments like gum and tissue grafting necessitate incisions, but we ensure incisions are as small as possible to minimize discomfort and accelerate recovery.
Our team is also trained in anesthesia and sedation, so we work with you to make sure you’re comfortable and pain-free throughout your procedure.
One of the best benefits of periodontal surgery is that it stops damage caused by gum disease, but did you know treatment can reverse damage too? Removing bacteria helps prevent decay from worsening, and the procedure helps your mouth start repairing on its own.
Dr. Fuentes and Dr. Peterson specialize in regenerative therapies to accelerate your body’s natural healing process. Over time, bone and gum tissue can regrow to counteract previous damage and improve your oral health.
Periodontal disease has several stages, and each patient has different needs when it comes to oral surgery. Dr. Fuentes and Dr. Peterson are highly trained in a range of surgical techniques and carefully select the best treatment plan for you.
If you have mild periodontal disease, root scaling and planing might be all you need to start your path to healing. For more severe cases, we offer advanced surgical treatment or a combination of treatments to address damage.
The benefits of periodontal surgery don’t stop at oral health. In fact, many procedures improve the cosmetic appearance of your teeth and gums. Not only will you have a healthier smile, but you might feel more confident showing it off too.
There’s no need to be afraid of periodontal surgery. To learn about your options and find a treatment plan that’s right for you, book an appointment at our office in Arcadia, California. Call us at 626-662-1084 or book online now.
