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Rebecca Mooar Kelleher, DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

 

573 Hopmeadow Street
Simsbury, CT 06070

(860) 658-0010

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Posts for tag: periodontal surgery

Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal

By Rebecca Mooar Kelleher, DDS
February 17, 2018
Category: Dental Procedures
Tags: periodontal surgery  
PeriodontalSurgeryAllowsustoAccessDeepSurfacesforPlaqueRemoval

All treatments for periodontal (gum) disease focus on one goal — to remove any bacterial plaque and calculus (hardened plaque deposits) that are at the heart of the infection. Plaque is a thin surface film of food particles and bacteria that cause gum disease.

Plaque builds up on tooth surfaces due to inadequate oral hygiene. And as the disease progresses brushing and flossing won’t be enough — you’ll need our services and specialized equipment to fully remove the plaque and calculus. The basic technique is called scaling in which we remove plaque and calculus manually from tooth surfaces above and just a few millimeters below the gum line.

As the disease develops, though, the slight natural gap between teeth and gums may begin to increase to form voids known as periodontal pockets. Filled with infection, these pockets can extend below the gum line onto the roots of the tooth. If the pocket extends more than 4 millimeters, basic scaling may not be able to remove all of the plaque and calculus.

Periodontists (dentists who specialize in the treatment and care of gum tissues) can perform a surgical method to access these deeper areas. Known as flap surgery, this procedure aims not only to reach and disinfect periodontal pockets and root surfaces, but also repair damaged gum tissue and create a better environment for future hygiene and treatment.

As the name implies, we create an opening in the gum tissue with one side remaining attached to the gum structure — much like the flap of a paper envelope. Through this opening we’re able to reach areas to remove plaque and calculus, as well as install both bone grafts to regenerate lost bone and growth factors to stimulate tissue growth. Once finished, we stitch the flap back into place with sutures and, in many cases, place a moldable dressing to protect and hold the flap secure while the incision heals.

This relatively minor procedure can be performed with local anesthesia and requires only a few days of recuperation. The results, though, can provide long-term benefits — reduced infection, better bone and gum health, and a more conducive environment for future maintenance of health — that could save your teeth and your smile for many years to come.

If you would like more information on treatments for gum disease, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “Periodontal Flap Surgery.”

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Archive:

  • 2018
      • February (2)
        • Periodontal Surgery Allows us to Access Deep Surfaces for Plaque Removal
        • Although a Challenge, Chronically Ill Children Need Tooth Decay Prevention
      • January (2)
        • How Kathy Bates Retains Her Movie-Star Smile
        • Treating a Young, Permanent Tooth Requires a Different Approach
  • 2017
      • December (3)
        • Is Laser Treatment a Good Option for Controlling Gum Disease?
        • A Topical Fluoride Treatment Could Protect Your Child from Tooth Decay
        • Life Is Sometimes a Grind for Brooke Shields
      • November (2)
        • We can Rid You of that Lump in Your Mouth you Keep Biting
        • 4 Tips for Avoiding Dental Disease While Wearing Braces
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        • Why the Treatment Model for Your Jaw Joint Disorder Matters
        • Vivica's Veneers: the Making of a Hollywood Smile
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        • Noah Galloway's Dentally Dangerous Dancing
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        • Actor David Ramsey Discusses Baby Bottle Tooth Decay
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        • The Simple Bitewing X-Ray is a Game Changer for Maintaining Dental Health
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