Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection that infects the gum tissue causing inflammation, redness, swelling and a loss of bone around the teeth. It can affect one tooth or many. It occurs when plaque migrates below the gum line, and then requires dental treatment to remove it. Home brushing and flossing are not capable of removing plaque buildup below the gum line.
If gingival pockets are greater than five millimeters in depth, gingival flap surgery may be suggested. Your periodontist will make a small cut into the gum tissue and separate the gum tissue from the teeth. A deep and thorough cleaning will be performed using an ultrasonic scaling device as well as hand instruments. These will remove tartar, plaque and biofilm below the pockets.
This procedure is performed to remove excess gum tissue that may be overgrown onto the teeth. Removal of this excess gum tissue allows for better cleaning of the teeth. Your gums will be numbed, and then the excess tissue removed.
A gingivoplasty is a cosmetic procedure to reshape healthy gum tissue around the teeth. A gum graft can be performed where tissue is taken from the roof of the mouth, and then stitched into place around the base of the teeth.