What You Need to Know About Gum Surgery in Toronto

We all know the importance proper dental hygiene carries in keeping our teeth healthy and strong, however it not just your teeth that benefit – a good oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups also keeps your gums healthy.  Likewise, if you have begun to neglect your dental care, it’s not only your teeth that will suffer, your gums may be hurting too.

Skipped dental cleanings and infrequent flossing are among the most common causes of not only cavities but also of gingivitis and gum disease. While mild gingivitis can typically be treated by a dentist, more advanced gum disease will require specialized care from a periodontist and will very often require gum surgery to repair.

Reasons for Gum Surgery

Gum disease is a serious issue that could have far-reaching side effects on your health. Gum disease is most recognizable by the appearance of dark red, swollen gums, receding gums lines, loose or shifting teeth, and painful chewing. Advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis, can also lead to bone and tissue damage.

Similar Post: Gum Treatment Options in Toronto for Periodontal Disease

Gum surgery is performed to remove the bacterial build-up, regrow gum tissue, restore bone density, and prevent or repair tooth loss.

Types of Gum Surgery

There are several types of gum surgery, and depending on the severity of your condition, multiple surgeries may be required to restore your oral health.

1. Pocket Reduction Surgery:

Gums are surgically separated from the tooth allowing the periodontist to remove all the bacteria present beneath the gum line and around the root of the tooth before stitching the gums back into place.

2. Gum Graft:

In cases where the gums have receded significantly, a soft tissue gum graft is performed by removing small pieces of tissue from the roof of the mouth and stitched to either side of the affected tooth or teeth.

3. Regeneration:

Gums are folded back from the tooth to remove the bacterial build-up before bone graphs, membranes, or other tissue stimulating proteins are inserted to help encourage the regeneration of gum tissue around the tooth.

4. Crown Lengthening:

In cases where excess gum tissue has grown around the tooth, a crown lengthening or gingivectomy is performed to restore the original gum line.

What to Expect During and After Gum Surgery

A local anesthetic is used during gum surgery in Toronto, however, in some cases, a general anesthetic may be required. In either case, there will be no pain during the procedure. After the gum surgery, you can expect to feel some minor discomfort which can be managed with an over-the-counter pain reliever.