Improve the Health of Your Smile with Periodontal Surgery

If left untreated, severe gum disease can not only cause tooth loss but also increase your risk of serious health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. If the it has advanced where you might need periodontal surgery, then Dr. Goodman will refer you to a Periodontist.

When is Surgery Necessary?

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, is caused by an overgrowth of plaque and unhealthy bacteria that harms the soft and hard tissues of the mouth. If caught in its earliest stage, called gingivitis, it is typically reversible by nonsurgical methods.

With his extensive experience, Dr. Goodman can provide an array of periodontal treatments to help you restore and maintain good oral health.

As the disease advances, pockets can form in the gums at the base of the teeth and become inflamed. The longer periodontal pockets are left untreated, the more likely you are to develop side effects, such as:

Shifting teeth
Dental pain
Receding gums
Chronic bad breath
Visibly inflamed gums
Loose teeth
Tooth loss

When periodontal disease progresses to this point, surgical intervention is often necessary to restore the gums to their former health.

Illustration of soft tissue dental laser — Soft tissue lasers minimize side effects, such as the risk of infection, and can shorten recovery time.

Gingival Flap Surgery

This procedure is intended to reduce the depth of periodontal pockets in patients with moderate to severe periodontitis. During this treatment, the doctor will create a small incision to access and clean deeper pockets. He can also repair receded gum tissue and minor bone loss. When the procedure is complete, he will close the incision with self-dissolving sutures. Dr. Goodman will typically refer you to a Periodontist to have this procedure done.

Gingivectomy

When excess gum tissue makes it difficult to clean your teeth, the doctor can perform a gingivectomy to remove extra tissue. This procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia to ensure your comfort.

Soft-Tissue Graft

Also known as a gingivoplasty, a soft-tissue graft is used to combat the effects of gum recession. When your gum recedes from the tooth, you are more vulnerable to gum disease and root decay. During a gingivoplasty procedure, the doctor can place harvested tissue in areas of recession. A soft-tissue graft is typically performed after gum health has been restored to reshape healthy tissue and protect exposed dental roots. This procedure is typically performed at a Periodontist office.

Stop Gum Disease in its Tracks