Canadian Academy of Periodontology

Periodontal surgical treatment

Periodontal surgery may be recommended if it is likely to improve the long term stability of the gum condition.

The objectives of the surgical phase are:

• Removal of the plaque and tartar buildup (surgical techniques allow better access to deep tartar deposits)
• Correction of the gingival and bony deformities
• Reduction or elimination of the residual pockets to allow proper access for an efficient daily home care regimen.
• To regenerate the supporting bone if possible.

Two surgical approaches are possible:

It consists in reducing the pocket depth by reducing the thickness of the gingiva (gums).

Before the surgical phase.

To see how these defects form, go to the periodontal disease page.

After resective surgical treatment.

It consists in regenerating (rebuilding) the bony support and gum attachment to the tooth root. Although this technique is preferable to the resective approach, it requires several prerequisites that are seldom present. Furthermore, its outcome is less predictable.

Before the surgical phase.

To see how these defects form, go to the periodontal disease page.

At the time of surgery, various materials can be placed in the bone defect to enhance or promote bone regeneration.

Ideal goal of the regenerative surgical treatment.

Due to limitations in current materials and variations in local and host factors, complete regeneration is seldom achieved.

Although the benefits of surgical treatment outweigh the side effects, these may include :

1. Gingival recession (longer teeth)
2. Spaces between teeth secondary to the bone loss
3. Esthetic change and increased cold sensitivity which is usually of short duration.