Osseous Surgery

Osseous surgery, sometimes referred to as pocket reduction surgery refers to a variety of different surgical approaches aimed at gaining access to the tooth roots to remove tartar and disease-causing bacteria.

Goals of Osseous Surgery

Osseous surgery is used to reshape deformities and remove pockets in the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. It is a common necessity in effective treatment of more advanced periodontal diseases. The ultimate goal of osseous surgery is to reduce or eliminate the periodontal pockets that cause periodontal disease. Despite the word “surgery” the procedure is reported to feel more like a thorough cleaning.

The specific goals of osseous surgery include:

• Reducing Bacterial Spread:
  Bacteria from the mouth can spread throughout the body and cause other life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and respiratory disease. Removing deep tartar and thereby bacteria can help reduce the risk of bacteria spreading.
• Preventing Bone Loss:
  The immune system’s inflammatory response prompted by periodontal bacteria can lead to bone loss in the jaw region, and cause teeth to fall out. Osseous surgery seeks to stop periodontal disease before it progresses to this level.
• Enhancing the Smile:
  Mouths plagued with periodontal disease are often unsightly. Brown gums, rotting teeth, and ridge indentations can leave a person feeling depressed and too self-conscious to smile. Fortunately, osseous surgery can help reduce bacteria and disease and thereby restore your mouth to its former radiance, while restoring confidence at the same time.
• Facilitating Home Care:
  As the gum pocket deepens, it can become nearly impossible to brush and floss adequately. Osseous surgery reduces pocket size, making it easier to brush and floss, and thereby prevent further periodontal disease.

What does osseous surgery entail?

A local anesthetic will be used to numb the area prior to surgery. First, Drs. Atlas, Hsiao, Endy or Blackhurst will make an incision in the affected area to release the gum tissue and allow visual access to the bone and roots of the teeth. After the roots have been thoroughly cleaned ultrasonic and hand scaling, precision instrumentation will be used to create a more healthy bone topography . Bone grafting may also be necessary to fill in large defects.

Next, the gums will be placed back over the remaining bone and stabilized with sutures. In order to protect the area and improve your comfort, the area will also be covered with a bandage (periodontal pack) or dressing. Medications to prevent and reduce the extent of post-operative discomfort will be prescribed along with antiseptic mouth rinses to ensure optimal healing following the procedure.

Although bleeding and swelling are possible following surgery, a proactive approach during your healing can reduce the extent and duration. Application of ice on the check We recommend a low level of physical activity following your procedure, application of ice outside the affected area during the first 24 hours, and to take the medications as recommended by your doctor.  In cases where the bleeding and swelling is in excess, it is advised that you call to notify our office. Several follow up visits may be necessary and you must fulfill a meticulous maintenance program especially during the initial phases of healing to avoid post-operative infection.