Osseous and Periodontal Surgery

Your Complete Dental Surgery Headquarters in Tupelo

When patients in Tupelo or anywhere in Northern Mississippi need advanced dental surgery, they come to North Mississippi Periodontics and Implant Dentistry. In our offices, Dr. Robertson provides a wide variety of specialized surgeries for gum disease, cosmetic dental procedures, and essential dental hygiene.

• Osseous surgery
• Periodontal maintenance
• Periodontal plastic surgery
• Scaling and root planing

When you visit us, you'll receive care based on more than 30 years of experience and the latest dental technology. Call our office today to schedule your appointment.

Osseous (Flap) Surgery for Gums

When other techniques for treating gum disease have not performed as well as hoped, osseous surgery may be required. Osseous surgery (or flap surgery) is used to create a clean environment around the tooth to allow it to heal and prevent needing to remove it. It's typically used if a pocket in the gum has gotten deeper over time.

Osseous surgery includes anesthesia, an incision, and cleaning of the affected area. Plaque and bacteria are removed, and the surface of the bone is smoothed. Stitches will hold the gum tissue in place until healing is complete.

Following the procedure, you should expect to return to our office in six to ten days to have the stitches removed. Full healing may take up to a month or more. We'll provide you with complete care instructions, as well as a prescription for any pain medications that may be necessary.

Periodontal Maintenance Therapy

Patients who have been treated for gum disease in the past or are currently being treated for it may need periodontal maintenance therapy. This program is designed to prevent additional problems from developing, so it's an investment that can save money and spare you from pain.

If you're a candidate for periodontal maintenance therapy, our hygienists and Dr. Robertson will work with you to establish a schedule for cleaning and treatment.

Periodontal Plastic Surgery

Some of the patients who visit North Mississippi Periodontics and Implant Dentistry are interested in creating the perfect smile and improving their dental health by having periodontal plastic surgery performed. In this process, our doctor removes excess gum and bone tissue to expose more of the natural tooth. The result is a wider, more beautiful smile.

The procedure is typically performed under local anesthetic, and a dental laser may be used to reduce the gum tissue. If an incision is necessary, it will be sutured and bandaged as needed. We'll schedule a follow-up appointment (usually about two weeks after the procedure) to make sure healing is progressing as expected.

Dr. Robertson performs two types of periodontal plastic surgery.

• Esthetic crown lengthening — Esthetic crown lengthening is a largely cosmetic procedure in which the gums are pulled back to show more of the crown of each tooth. It's used to create a smile that shows more of the teeth. It can also be used for patients who have trouble with periodontal disease, as it decreases the depth of the pockets in which bacteria can grow.
• Functional crown lengthening — If we need to have greater access to a tooth's root or need to work on a decayed or broken tooth, we may need to perform a functional crown lengthening to reshape the gums and supporting bone. That makes room for further dental restoration.

Scaling and Root Planing

Plaque provides a fertile area in which bacteria can grow, and bacteria cause periodontal disease. If that gum disease goes untreated, it can cause tooth loss and other health problems.

A scaling and planing treatment is a procedure we use to remove plaque and treat gingivitis, the earliest stage of gum disease. During scaling and planing, we'll use a local anesthetic or full sedation if necessary. We'll use an ultrasonic tool and other medical instruments to clean the roots of your teeth below the gum line. When your teeth are smooth and clean, your gums are better able to attach to them.

Following your scaling and planing procedure, we'll give you instructions on how to clean and care for your teeth to prevent food and debris from getting into the pockets, but a few tips apply to most dental procedures.

• Brush and floss often enough to ensure that your mouth is clean at all times.
• Discontinue the use of tobacco products.

We may also prescribe antibiotics or an oral rinse containing chlorhexidine.