Do I Need Osseous Surgery?
Osseous surgery janesville wisconsin is recommended for patients with advanced periodontal disease and for whom other treatment options have been unsuccessful. To determine whether you are a good candidate for osseous surgery will require scheduling an initial examination. During this evaluation, your periodontist will use a special probe to measure the depth of your pockets, which should be around 2-3mm or less if they are healthy. If gum disease is present, these pockets will have deepened, which allows for more bacteria to gather and makes it more difficult to properly clean these areas using traditional methods.
If it is determined that you do have gum disease, treatment options will be discussed. Although the procedure is called osseous “surgery” the actual steps involved are very minimal and you will likely not experience any discomfort during the actual procedure, though you will have to plan on a few days to fully recover.
Osseous surgery is most commonly performed on patients to prevent and/or help achieve the following:
- Reduced bacterial spread: Removing bacteria and deep tartar significantly reduces the spread of bacteria, which, in addition to causing oral health issues, is also linked to life-threatening conditions like respiratory and/or heart disease. Patients who are at an increased risk of either are strongly encouraged to address periodontal disease as early and as quickly as possible.
- Preservation of bone: If periodontal disease is not treated, it will eventually result in the loss of jawbone, which can cause teeth to fall out, which speeds up jawbone deterioration even more. In addition to affecting the aesthetic appearance of your smile, the loss of teeth also impacts your overall oral health and can end up reducing your ability to enjoy different kinds of food. Osseous surgery is strongly recommended for patients whose gum disease has progressed to the point where they are at risk of losing their teeth.
- Improved care at home: Once the pockets of the gums have become sufficiently deep, it will no longer be possible to brush and floss the bacteria away using traditional at-home methods. Following osseous surgery, patients will be able to preserve their normal oral hygiene routine due to the pocket size having been reduced.
- Enhanced smile: Advanced gum disease can cause many unsightly consequences, including the loss of a tooth or teeth, teeth that are brown or discolored, and/or ridge indentations. All of these characteristics can cause a person to feel self-conscious and avoid smiling in pictures or around others as much as possible. Osseous surgery is strongly recommended for patients with advanced gum disease who also feel self-conscious about the appearance of their smile. In addition to improving your oral health, having renewed confidence can positively affect other areas of your life.
If you have any additional questions about whether osseous surgery is necessary for you, or to learn more about alternative treatment options, contact your periodontist or schedule an exam to ensure you address your periodontal disease as quickly as possible in a manner that aligns with your treatment goals and preferences.
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