Dental Specialists of
South Loop

Pocket Reduction Surgery

Periodontitis Treatments

Periodontitis is caused by bacteria infecting the structural tissues beneath the gums. The goal of treatment is to thoroughly clean out the pockets of plaque, tartar, and bacteria surrounding the teeth and prevent damage to the bone.

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the condition. If your periodontitis is not advanced, non-surgical therapies and good oral hygiene may be enough to eradicate the infection and restore your gums to a healthy condition. These treatments might include scaling, root planing, and the administration of topical or oral antibiotics. However, if your periodontal disease is advanced, your gum tissue may not respond to these procedures. If this is the case, surgical intervention may be necessary.

Pocket Reduction Surgery

Deep pockets often exist in advanced stages of periodontitis, and studies suggest that the instruments used in scaling and root planing procedures are unable to reach the entire root surface of the tooth. Pocket reduction surgery, sometimes called osseous surgery, provides unrestricted visibility and access to the root surfaces.

During this procedure, your periodontist will make tiny incisions in your gum allowing a section of gum tissue to be lifted away from the root surface, making it easier to remove tartar and disease causing bacteria. Additionally, if periodontitis has caused bone loss, the underlying bone can be re-contoured before the gum tissue is repositioned. Once healed, it will be easier for you to clean these areas and maintain healthy gums.

Surgical Objectives

Technically a surgery, this non-invasive procedure is equated to end-stage cleaning of the root surfaces. Specific goals of the surgery are as follows:

  • Reduce the spread of bacteria-Bacteria from the mouth can cause life-threatening conditions including heart and respiratory disease as it spreads throughout the body. Removing the bacteria, which is a component of deep tartar pockets, will reduce this risk.
  • Prevent Bone Loss-Bone loss in the jaw region is caused by the immune system’s inflammatory response to the periodontal bacteria. Severe bone loss can cause teeth to fall out. Osseous surgery is a way to stop the progression of periodontitis before it goes that far.
  • Enhance Your Smile- Periodontal disease is not pretty. When a person has brown gums, loose or rotting teeth, and ridge indentations, it is hard to have confidence. Osseous surgery can reduce bacteria, help to eliminate disease, and restore your radiant smile—allowing you to feel confident once again.
  • Facilitating Oral Care-As the pocket in the gum deepens, proper brushing and flossing become increasingly difficult. Osseous surgery makes it easier to brush and floss by reducing pocket size—thereby preventing further periodontal disease.

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South Loop Dental Specialists

850 South Wabash, Suite 240
Chicago, IL 60605

312-356-4700