Dental osseous is a surgical procedure that reshapes the bone in the gum that holds one or more teeth in place. It is a treatment for those who suffer from the gum disease periodontitis, which is a set of conditions that includes swelling of the gums and often starts out as gingivitis. Periodontitis sets in when substances the body produces when trying to fight off the bacteria from a mouth infection damages the bones and ligaments around the teeth. Dental osseous is performed by a periodontist who works to reshape the bone and fix the defects caused by the periodontitis.
Identification
The need for osseous surgery is dependent on the severity of the periodontitis. Symptoms of periodontits include swollen and bleeding gums, sensitivity, loose teeth, receding gums, bad breath and a bad taste in the mouth. The need for osseous surgery due to periodontits can also be diagnosed with a dental probe test, which determines how deep the space is between the tooth and gum. If the space is deeper than normal 1 to 3 millimeters, surgery may be recommended.
Features
Osseous surgery is performed by numbing the gums surrounding the affected area and opening the gum by flapping it back to expose the bone. The periodontist then examines the amount of bone loss and tartar. After removing the tarter and cleaning out the space or pockets created by the periodontitis, the periodontist will use a high-speed instrument to reshape the bone and eliminate any pockets in the bone. In some cases, where the pockets are too deep, a bone graft will be used to fill them. After the bone is reshaped or grafted, the gum flap is put back over the bone and stitched back into place; stitches are typically removed one week after surgery. Many periodontist will place a protective putty over the area after surgery to prevent food from getting stuck in between the teeth during healing. The entire process usually takes an hour when no complications occur.
Types
The evolution of periodontology has led to some advancements in osseous surgery, including the use of special membranes to guide tissue regeneration. The membranes are placed over bone grafts and act as a barrier to prevent the gum from growing down into the pocket and affecting the regeneration process. The two commonly used membranes are non-resorbable membranes that need to be removed with an additional surgical procedure and resorbable membranes that are reabsorbed after 4 to 6 weeks.
Benefits
Dental osseous has a variety of benefits, including reducing the severity of symptoms caused by periodontitis such as loose teeth, bleeding gums and a receding gum line. Although periodontitis cannot be completely reversed, dental osseous can help to reduce its symptoms when used in conjunction with daily brushing and flossing, regular visits to your dentist and refraining from tobacco use.
Considerations
As with any surgery, there are always risk factors to consider. After osseous surgery, there is a degree of bleeding and swelling and a risk for developing an infection. Long term risks include the possibility of receding gums, increased sensitivity to hot and cold and cavities in the roots of the treated area.
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