Periodontal Treatment in Livermore

Periodontists treat their patients with the most conservative measures possible, but sometimes surgery is necessary to facilitate oral health and aesthetics. Some of the reasons your periodontist may recommend gum surgery include:

To restore gum tissues lost to periodontal disease. 

Also known as guided tissue regeneration, this procedure is often combined with bone grafting to help support the teeth. 

To cosmetically improve your gum line. 

Known as mucogingival surgery, this procedure grafts soft oral tissues into the gum line to fill in areas that have become recessed. The gum grafts conceal exposed tooth roots to allow a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

To prepare your teeth for dental restorations. 

This type of gum surgery aims to reveal more of the tooth’s root, effectively lengthening the crown of the tooth. Crown lengthening is reserved for patients who have decay below the gum line or have inadequate tooth structure to support a dental restoration.

Am I a candidate for gum surgery?

Gum surgery may be right for you if you need crown lengthening for a restoration, you want to enhance your gum line cosmetically, or you have 3mm or greater pockets around your teeth due to periodontal disease. To find out more about gum surgery and your options for treatment, schedule an appointment with your periodontist.

What should I expect during gum surgery?

Gum surgery is an in-office procedure performed under local anesthesia. Most patients feel no discomfort during the procedure, and you may be under mild sedation for its duration.

Will I need to follow any special instructions following my gum surgery?

Although the surgery itself should not be uncomfortable, you will experience sore and swollen gums in the days immediately following the procedure. Use a cold pack to reduce swelling hours after the treatment, and consume only a soft diet for the first few days after the procedure. Your periodontist may prescribe pain medication and antibiotics to ensure your recovery is free of complications. Be sure to keep the surgical site clean and schedule a time to return to your periodontist’s office if you have sutures that need to be removed.

We provide customized, cutting-edge solutions to help you keep healthy gums and a beautiful, functional smile at our office. We use cutting-edge technology and treatment strategies to address a wide range of periodontal diseases and demands as expert care providers.

Periodontal treatment today helps to stop the progression of gum disease and provides practical solutions, such as bone grafting and regenerative procedures to repair tissue damage.