Gum Surgery in Wylie, TX

In many cases, gum (periodontal) surgery is recommended to help patients who have been diagnosed with gum disease in the advanced stage of periodontitis. Gum disease is caused by bacteria that live within plaque and tartar accumulation below the gumline. This progressive periodontal problem may impact the health of your gums and jawbone, which together help support and hold your teeth in place. If your gum disease is in the advanced stage, general dentist Dr. Fesaha Gebrehiwot of Trusted Dental Care may recommend either a gingival flap surgery or a gingivectomy gum surgery procedure. Gingivoplasty, which is a cosmetic service that improves and reshapes your gums after periodontal disease has been treated, may also be suggested to further enhance your smile. Dr. G. is pleased to offer these offers surgical gum treatments to address advanced periodontal disease and help preserve your oral health.

Gum surgery may be recommended by patients who have advanced periodontitis, excess or overgrown gum tissues or if nonsurgical gum therapies did not yield the desired effective outcomes. When gum disease reaches the advanced stages, there has been significant bone loss surrounding affected teeth. In many cases, plaque and tartar deposits are located deep below the gums and are simply out of reach without a surgical approach. You may be a candidate for gum surgery if you have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Puffy, inflamed gums
• Shifting or loose teeth
• Pus around the gums
• A "gummy" smile
• Bad breath (halitosis)
• An uneven or overgrown gumline
• Gum recession or sensitive teeth
• Moderate to advanced bone loss

Prior to you receiving treatment, Dr. G. will examine your gums and teeth to decide which gum surgery is best for your condition. On the day of your treatment, Dr. G. will numb your gum tissues thoroughly and may administer nitrous oxide to keep you relaxed throughout the appointment. Gingival flap surgery begins with a surgical incision made precisely in the gum tissue so that the gums can be retracted away to reveal the roots of the teeth. Once plaque and tartar are removed and any bone defects smoothed, the gums are returned to their natural position and sutured for healing. A gingivectomy removes excess gum tissue in areas of infection or overgrowth while a gingivoplasty procedure is used to reshape and even out the gumline after periodontal disease treatment is complete.

After gum surgery, you may have some inflammation or discomfort. Dr. G. will discuss ways to manage your pain and speed up your recovery at home. After your gums have healed, it is important that you follow a proper oral hygiene routine to prevent further with regular flossing and brushing to prevent further progression of gum disease. When you have been diagnosed with periodontal disease, general bi-annual dental cleanings are no longer sufficient to manage your oral health. Dr. G. may recommend that you attend periodontal maintenance cleaning visits every 3 – 4 months, which allow us to minimize bacterial growth and plaque and tartar accumulation and preserve the health of your smile. During these visits, Dr. G. will also monitor your progress and ongoing gum health.

Gum surgery is generally regarded as being medically necessary, which means some of the cost may be covered by dental insurance. Prior to your treatment, our office will talk to your provider to determine your benefits and calculate any out-of-pocket costs. To help make your treatment easier to afford, Trusted Dental Care is pleased to accept many convenient payment methods, including flexible medical financing.

Periodontal (gum) disease can significantly impact your dental health and smile may increase your risk for other issues like heart disease and diabetes. Gum surgery at Trusted Dental Care may be an important step in your periodontal care to address advanced gum disease and restore your smile. To find out more or to schedule a gum disease screening with Dr. G., contact our office in Wylie, TX and speak with our friendly team today.