Gum Surgery Specialist

Why might I need gum surgery?

Gum surgery is a dental procedure that treats gum disease and helps restore or replace the gum loss it causes. Your provider at Willow Glen Dental Center may recommend gum surgery if you have any of the following:

• Loose teeth
  
• Swollen, bleeding, or red gums
  
• Bad breath
  
• Receding gums
  
• Pockets between your gums and teeth
  
• Pain when chewing or biting

If you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to tell your provider at your next appointment.

What are the benefits of gum surgery?

Gum surgery removes bacteria from below the gumline, reshapes the bones that support your teeth, and encourages the gums to fit securely against the teeth.

Gum surgery is also a popular cosmetic treatment, helping create a more aesthetically pleasing smile.

What are the different types of gum surgery?

The providers at Willow Glen Dental Center offer several types of gum surgery.

Regeneration

Regeneration involves removing bacteria from beneath the gums before inserting tissue-stimulating proteins, bone grafts, or membrane to help the gums "regenerate."

Crown lengthening

Crown lengthening makes teeth look longer and more in proportion to the face by removing excess gum tissue from the teeth. This procedure also helps treat gum disease.

Soft tissue graft

A soft tissue graft uses tissue taken from the mouth to rebuild or replace missing gum tissue caused by gum disease.

Pocket reduction

During pocket reduction (gingival flap surgery), your provider removes bacteria from under the gum before reattaching the gum tissue to the tooth.

The providers at Willow Glen Dental Center have extensive experience in gum surgery. They discuss the benefits of each procedure and offer recommendations based on how advanced your gum disease is.

How do I prepare for gum surgery?

Before your procedure, your provider reviews your medical history and makes sure you have no current infection that could interfere with the healing process. They also examine your teeth, mouth, and jaw.

Depending on the type of surgery you're having, your provider will either fully or partially sedate you or simply apply a local anesthetic to numb the treatment area. Most gum surgery takes around two hours.

Your provider sends you home with a complete set of post-operative care instructions, and typically you will return in 7-10 days to have your stitches taken out.

Gum surgery is a routine dental procedure. Call Willow Glen Dental Center today to make an appointment, or book online through this website.