Periodontal disease and tooth loss can be destructive to gum tissue and supportive jaw bone. In order to rebuild your bite and smile, your general dentist may recommend surgical periodontal treatment. Dr. Trammell specializes in periodontal surgical procedures to eliminate disease and infection and to stabilize the oral health environment.
Dental implants are small surgical metal cylinders that are inserted into the jaw bone to serve as an artificial tooth “root” to support a crown, bridge or denture. Read more about dental implants.
Gum grafts are used when gum tissue has receded too far above the tooth structure to properly cover and protect the tooth root. The graft may be gum tissue from the roof of your mouth, or laboratory donor tissue. Gum grafts can also help improve the appearance of the tooth and reduce sensitivity.
Regenerative procedures may be recommended to encourage the growth of healthy gum tissue and bone and help repair damage done by periodontal disease. During this procedure, the gum tissue is lifted back and the periodontist removes the infected tissue and harmful bacteria. Special membranes, bone grafts or protein materials may be used to stimulate healthy cell growth and allow the body to heal these areas and “regenerate” lost tissues.
Crown lengthening - when a tooth is prepared for a crown, your dentist will want to have enough healthy tooth structure available above the gum line for proper retention and cleaning. If the tooth is broken below the gum line, the periodontist can re-shape the gum tissue and bone to expose more of the tooth surface for the restoration. Crown lengthening is also used for cosmetic gum shaping. Read more about cosmetic periodontal treatment.
Sinus lift surgery is sometimes performed when there is not enough bone support for dental implants to replace missing upper back teeth. The periodontist can reinforce this area with a bone graft procedure. A small hole is made in the jawbone to access the sinus cavity, and a section of the sinus cavity is gently “lifted” with a small instrument, allowing for placement of bone graft material between the sinus membrane and the jaw bone. Depending on the type of procedure, the implant may be placed right away or after the area has healed for approximately 4-9 months.
Ridge augmentation is a periodontal grafting procedure that may be recommended in areas where additional bone or gum tissue is needed to properly support dental implants. Augmentation can also be used to regenerate bone or soft tissue to correct bony defects or rebuild areas affected by trauma or disease and improve the esthetic appearance of the gums and smile.
We want you to be fully informed about your periodontal surgical procedure. During your consultation, your periodontist will formulate and review your individualized treatment plan, answering any questions that may arise. The Trammell Periodontics team will work closely with your general dentist to get your smile feeling and looking great again!