Solution to severe gum disease: Let's learn about Osseous Surgery!

Do your gums bleed all the time? Not just when you brush your teeth, but also when you just stand there? Or do you feel like your teeth are moving a little, or do you have a bad breath? These could be signs of severe gum disease. Today we are talking about 'Osseous Surgery', which doctors recommend as a treatment for this condition. Don't be scared when you hear this name, it's not as big a deal as you think. Let's see what it is.

What exactly is Osseous Surgery?

Simply put, Osseous Surgery is a treatment for gum disease. Periodontists, a specialist in gum disease, use this surgery, especially when gum disease becomes more severe, which is called Periodontitis .

Now look, there is a small gap between our teeth and gums. In a healthy person, this gap is very small. But when gum disease develops, this gap gets bigger due to the activity of bacteria. We call these 'pockets' . These pockets become deep, and bacteria and plaque hide inside them, destroying them even more. We cannot go inside these deep pockets and clean them with our toothbrush or floss.

The main goal of osseous surgery is to reduce those deep pockets and eliminate places for bacteria to hide.

What are the methods of performing this surgery?

There are two main methods. Your doctor will assess your condition and choose the most appropriate method.

1. Traditional Osseous Surgery: In this procedure, the doctor makes a small incision in the gum, removes a small amount of gum tissue, and exposes the root of the tooth and bone. The root of the tooth is then cleaned thoroughly and the bone around the tooth is reshaped to eliminate pockets where bacteria can hide. Finally, the gum tissue is returned to its original position and sutured closed.

2. Laser Osseous Surgery: This is a new method. There are no incisions or stitches. Laser rays are used to target and destroy only the bacteria without harming healthy tissue. However, there are still different opinions about the results of this method.

How should I prepare before surgery?

Your doctor is the best person to advise you on this, but in general, you should be aware of these things.

• If you have any medications you normally take, continue taking them unless your doctor tells you to stop.
• If you are taking anticoagulants , such as aspirin or warfarin, be sure to tell your doctor. He or she will tell you how many days before surgery you should stop taking them.
• It will be difficult to eat for a while after surgery, so make sure you eat a full meal before surgery.
• If you are having sedation during your surgery, arrange for someone you trust to drive you home. If you have chosen local anesthesia or nitrous oxide, you can go home alone.
• Completely avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for 24 hours before and after surgery.

What actually happens during surgery?

Don't be scared when you see these steps. All of this is done with a numbing agent so that you don't feel any pain.

1. Numbness: First, the doctor will numb the area where your teeth and gums are.

2. Making the incision: Then, a small incision is made very carefully along the gum.

3. Gum removal: The gum is gently pushed aside so that the tooth root and bone are visible.

4. Cleaning: The plaque and bacteria that have accumulated on the roots of the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and removed.

5. Bone preparation: The bone around the tooth is smoothed and reshaped to eliminate deep pockets and damage where bacteria can hide.

6. Bone regeneration: Sometimes, if a lot of bone has been lost, dental bone grafts can be used to replace the lost bone.

7. Suturing: Finally, the gum is returned to its original position and closed with a few small stitches.

Typically, the entire process takes about 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the number of teeth to be treated.

What are the benefits and risks of this surgery?

Like any surgery, there are benefits and some minor risks, but generally the benefits outweigh the risks.

What is the recovery period after surgery and how should I take care of myself?

The time it takes to fully recover varies from person to person. It depends on the severity of your condition, the number of teeth treated, and your body's ability to heal. It usually takes about two to four weeks .

It is normal to experience some pain, swelling, bruising, and a little bleeding in the first few days after surgery. These should subside within a few days.

Be sure to do these things during recovery.

• Take all the medications prescribed by the doctor on time and as prescribed.
• Use an antibacterial mouthwash to keep the surgical site clean.
• Don't drink anything through straws for a week.
• When eating, eat soft foods like mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, and macaroni . Ask your doctor for a list of what is good and what is bad to eat.

Some common questions you may have

Is this the same as 'deep cleaning'?

No. These are two different things. A deep cleaning, which means a deep cleaning of the teeth (tooth scaling and root planing), is done in cases of mild to moderate gum disease. Osseous surgery is done when the disease is more severe.

Is the surgery very painful?

During the surgery, you will not feel any pain because you are numb. It is normal to feel some pain and discomfort after the surgery. However, it is not good to have pain that is so severe that you cannot sleep at night. If you experience such pain, even if you take medication, it does not help, tell your doctor.

Will the gums grow back after surgery?

No. Gum tissue destroyed by gum disease does not regrow. A separate procedure called 'gum graft surgery' is required for this.

The best thing to do is to maintain good oral health before you have to undergo surgery like this. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and regularly seeing a dentist for checkups are very important.