Periodontal Surgeries Specialist

What is periodontal surgery?

Periodontal surgery is a procedure that repairs your gums, teeth, or jawbone. Your dentist might recommend periodontal surgery if you’re unhappy with a gummy smile, have missing teeth or a receding gum line, or experience other symptoms of gum disease.

What are the symptoms of gum disease?

If you experience the following signs or symptoms of gum disease, schedule an appointment with your Reston Dental Center provider as soon as possible for an evaluation:

• Puffy, swollen gums
• Bright red gums
• A receding gum line
• Gums that bleed
• Tender gums
• Teeth shifting
• Loose teeth or tooth loss
• Pus within your gums
• Painful chewing
• Bad breath

Healthy gums fit snugly around your teeth, are pale pink in color, and aren’t painful or tender. Gingivitis, an early stage of gum disease, is often reversible. That’s why seeking treatment right away is crucial.

What are the different types of periodontal surgeries?

Your Reston Dental Center periodontist reviews your medical and dental history, completes a dental exam, and uses X-rays to determine the type and severity of teeth or gum problems. They might recommend one or more of the following periodontal surgeries:

Gum graft surgery

During gum graft surgery, your periodontist uses gum grafts to cover your teeth in areas of gum recession. They use gum tissue from your palate or another source to cover exposed tooth roots and reduce further gum recession or bone loss.

Laser treatment

Laser gum treatment helps eliminate gum disease using laser energy instead of traditional dental tools associated with root planing and scaling. Laser treatment helps thoroughly remove tartar and plaque on all areas of your teeth, especially near your gum line.

Pocket reduction surgery

If you have pockets that develop between your teeth and gums, bacteria can hide in them and cause gum disease or increase its severity. During pocket reduction surgery, your periodontist removes bacteria from these pockets and reduces the pocket depth to restore your gum line.

Regenerative procedures

Regenerative dental procedures help regenerate lost bone and gum tissue. Your periodontist may use tissue-stimulating proteins or bone grafts to help your body naturally regenerate these tissues.

Dental implants

During dental implant surgery, your periodontist surgically implants metal posts, or dental implants, into your jawbone in areas of missing teeth. The implants serve as artificial tooth roots that can anchor new, custom-made artificial teeth.

Cosmetic surgery

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your teeth and gums, your Reston Dental Center provider offers aesthetic dental surgery to restore your smile to one you’re proud to show off. They might recommend periodontal surgery to correct a gummy smile, uneven gum line, unsightly gum indentations, loose teeth, or missing teeth.

Don’t live with teeth and gum problems when restorative solutions are within reach at Reston Dental Center. Schedule an appointment over the phone or online to learn more.