Your gums are more than just the framework for your teeth—they play a critical role in your overall well-being. They provide a protective barrier around your teeth, helping to keep them strong and healthy. When gum issues arise, it can affect not only your smile but also your overall health. In some cases, gum surgery may be necessary to restore your oral health.
Gum surgery is any procedure that involves cutting or reshaping the gum tissue. It can be performed for various reasons, including treating gum disease, correcting gum recession, or improving the aesthetics of your smile.
Let’s explore some of the most common types of gum treatment/surgery:
Scaling and Root Planing
Scaling and root planing is a non-surgical deep-cleaning procedure used to treat gum disease. It is often recommended for patients with periodontitis (early-stage to advanced-stage gum disease). Gum disease is caused by a sticky film of bacteria called plaque that constantly forms on your teeth. If plaque is not removed effectively through regular brushing and flossing, it can harden into tartar (calculus) and irritate the gums. This can cause the gums to become inflamed and pull away from the teeth, forming spaces called “pockets.”
During scaling, your dentist or periodontist removes plaque and tartar from the tooth surfaces above and below the gumline, making sure to clean all the way down to the bottom of the pockets. Root planing involves smoothing out the tooth roots to help the gums reattach to the teeth and reduce the pocket depth where bacteria can accumulate.
While scaling and root planing primarily focus on deep cleaning, minor gum adjustments may be necessary in some cases to improve gum health.
Benefits of Scaling and Root Planing:
- Removes harmful bacteria and plaque
- Reduces gum inflammation and promotes healing
- Helps prevent tooth loss
- Can improve bad breath
Gummy Smile Treatment
A “gummy smile” occurs when an excessive amount of gum tissue is visible when you smile. This can make your teeth appear short and affect the aesthetics of your smile. Gummy smiles are caused by a variety of factors, including the shape and size of your teeth, the shape and size of your lips, your facial muscles, and the amount of gum tissue covering your teeth.
Several treatment options are available to correct a gummy smile, including:
- Crown lengthening: This procedure involves removing excess gum tissue and sometimes reshaping the jawbone to expose more of the tooth’s crown.
- Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections: Botox can be used to relax the muscles that lift the upper lip, reducing the amount of gum tissue displayed when smiling. This treatment typically lasts for three to six months.
- Orthodontic treatment: In some cases, braces or aligners can be used to reposition the teeth and improve the appearance of a gummy smile.
- Lip repositioning surgery: This procedure lowers the position of the upper lip to reduce gum display.
Frenectomy
A frenectomy is a surgical procedure that removes or modifies a frenulum, a small fold of tissue that connects the lips, cheeks, or tongue to the gums. There are different types of frenectomies, including:
- Lingual frenectomy: This procedure releases or removes the band of tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. It is often performed to correct tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), a condition where the tongue is restricted due to a short or tight frenulum.
- Labial frenectomy: This procedure removes or modifies the frenulum that attaches the upper or lower lip to the gums. It can be performed to address issues such as a gap between the front teeth or to improve the fit of dentures.
Frenectomies are often performed to correct tongue-tie (ankyloglossia), a condition where the tongue is restricted due to a short or tight frenulum. This can affect speech, eating, and oral hygiene.
Benefits of a Frenectomy:
- Can improve tongue function and speech
- May help with breastfeeding in infants
- Can improve orthodontic treatment outcomes
- May prevent gum recession
*NOTE: frenum removal has no affect upon lip or facial function because any modification is only completed near to the teeth
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Dental Implant Surgery to replace teeth lost to gum disease
Dental implants are a popular and effective way to replace missing teeth. They are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to serve as artificial tooth roots. Once the implant fuses with the jawbone (osseointegration), a replacement tooth (crown) is attached to the implant.
Dental implant surgery is typically a multi-step process that may take several months to complete. The first step involves surgically placing the implant into the jawbone. After a healing period of several months to allow for osseointegration (the process of the jawbone growing into and joining with the surface of the dental implant), the abutment (a small connector post) and the final restoration (crown, bridge, or denture) are attached.
Benefits of Dental Implants:
- Look, feel, and function like natural teeth
- Prevent bone loss in the jaw
- Improve chewing ability and speech
- Long-lasting and durable
Recovering from Gum Surgery
Recovery from gum surgery varies depending on the type of procedure performed. However, in general, you can expect some swelling, discomfort, and bleeding for a few days after surgery. The duration of gum surgery itself also varies depending on the size of the area being treated and the techniques used during the procedure. A small procedure can take only a few minutes, while a larger procedure can take 1-1.5 hours.
Your periodontist will provide you with specific post-operative instructions, which may include:
- Taking pain medication as prescribed
- Using ice packs to reduce swelling
- Eating a soft food diet
- Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash
- Avoiding brushing or flossing near the surgical site
It’s important to follow these instructions carefully to ensure proper healing and minimize the risk of complications, such as infection or implant failure.
Conclusion
Gum surgery can play a crucial role in restoring your oral health and improving your smile. Whether you’re dealing with gum disease, gum recession, or missing teeth, various surgical procedures can help you achieve optimal oral health and a confident smile. By addressing gum issues early on and seeking appropriate treatment from a skilled periodontist, you can prevent more serious complications and enjoy the benefits of a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.
Bonacci Periodontics and Dental Implants offers a comprehensive range of gum surgery procedures, including scaling and root planing, gummy smile treatment, frenectomy, and dental implant surgery. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized care and utilizing the latest techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients. If you are experiencing any gum-related issues or are considering dental implants, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us today.
