Osseous Surgery – Mayfield Heights, OH
Modern Solutions for Periodontal Pocket Reduction
There’s a small amount of space referred to as a pocket between the base of your teeth and the gums. Ideally, these pockets should be less than 2 to 3 millimeters deep. When gum disease wears away the tissues in your mouth, these pockets can grow to over 5 millimeters; that might not sound very deep, but it creates an ideal space for bacteria to gather. Untreated pockets can lead to more severe infections and even tooth loss. As such, Dr. Ross might recommend osseous surgery to reduce the size of these pockets before they invite worse damage. Call us today for a gum disease consultation to see if osseous surgery is right for you.
Why Choose Ross Periodontics & Dental Implants for Osseous Surgery?
- Advanced Technology for More Efficient Treatment
- Treatments Based on Comprehensive Examinations
- Experienced Periodontist and Team Members
When is Osseous Surgery Needed?
Osseous surgery is typically required when gum disease has reached the periodontitis stage. This is the point where the underlying bone and other tissues start breaking down, causing the teeth to become loose and forming periodontal pockets. Eventually, you could even suffer from tooth loss.
Osseous surgery may be recommended based on what we find during our examination. Usually, it will be performed if the gum disease is too severe to be fully treated with scaling and root planing or antibiotic therapy. Warning signs that you might need a pocket reduction treatment in the future include:
- Teeth that look longer due to gum recession.
- Teeth that have come loose or are even falling out altogether.
- Discomfort while eating, biting, or chewing.
- Red, sore, or otherwise inflamed gums.
- A foul taste in the mouth that doesn’t go away.
The Osseous Surgery Procedure
The overall process will usually take a couple of hours. First a local anesthetic is used to numb the gum tissue. Then the surgery proceeds as follows:
- A small incision is made in the gumline, and the gums are gently folded back. This gives us a chance to remove the bacteria that was hiding beneath the tissue.
- The damaged areas of the bone will be smoothed out to promote healing and tissue reattachment.
- Bone grafts and other regeneration techniques might be required depending on how severely the bone was damaged.
- The gums will be sewn back in place. Periodontal dressing will be applied to control the bleeding.
Recovering from Osseous Surgery
In the days following your osseous surgery, you should avoid using a straw until your mouth has completely healed. Plan on resting and avoiding physical activity for the first day. After 24 hours, you can start rinsing with saltwater to lower the risk of infection. Stick to a soft food diet for the first few days; when you think you can handle it, gradually work your way back to a heartier diet. Apply an ice pack to the outside of your mouth to keep the swelling down. Don’t forget to change out your gauze on a regular basis.
Osseous Surgery FAQs
How Do I Prepare for Osseous Surgery?
Prior to your osseous surgery in Mayfield Heights, our team will go over the specifics of the procedure with you in order to ensure that you have an accurate idea of what to expect. We may give you some simple steps to follow to help you prepare for the procedure. For example, you will likely need to stop taking blood-thinning medications for a certain amount of time. On top of that, it’s best to avoid smoking and drinking for at least a full 24 hours prior to your appointment.
If you plan on having IV sedation or oral conscious sedation administered during your osseous surgery, it’s important to note that the effects will linger after the procedure. As such, you will need to make arrangements for someone you trust to drive you home from our practice.
One last thing to note is that you will only be able to eat soft foods for a few days following osseous surgery. It’s therefore a good idea to stock up on such foods before the day of the treatment. Good options include mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, pasta, and yogurt.
How Long Does Osseous Surgery Take to Complete?
Osseous surgery typically requires just one appointment, and it can often be completed in about two hours. The exact timeline can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the number of teeth involved and how long it takes your mouth to get numb after a local anesthetic has been administered. Our team will be sure to give you an accurate idea of how long your osseous surgery will take so that you can plan accordingly.
How Much Does Osseous Surgery Cost?
This is not a question that has a universal answer. The cost of osseous surgery is often influenced by the severity of your gum disease, the location of the periodontist’s practice, and other factors. You may also need to account for the cost of related procedures that are deemed necessary to restore or protect your oral health.
Our team will give you an estimate of what the cost of your osseous surgery will look like once we’ve completed a thorough examination of your mouth and carefully considered your specific needs. If you have a dental insurance plan, you can count on us to file the necessary claims for you so that you can take full advantage of your benefits.
What are the Risks Associated with Osseous Surgery?
Osseous surgery is a very reliable procedure that rarely leads to serious complications. That said, while you’re recovering from the treatment, you should take note of any unusual side effects; this can include bleeding that doesn’t stop or persistent swelling that indicates the presence of an infection. As soon as you notice any concerning symptoms, you should call our office right away.