Osseous Surgery 

Osseous surgery, sometimes referred to as pocket reduction surgery, is done to reshape deformities and remove pockets in the alveolar bone surrounding the teeth. It is an effective form of treatment of more advanced periodontal diseases. The ultimate goal of osseous surgery is to reduce or eliminate the periodontal pockets that cause periodontal disease. The specific goals of surgery include:

• Reducing bacterial spread:
  bacteria from the mouth can spread throughout the body and cause other life-threatening conditions such as heart disease and respiratory disease. Removing deep tartar and bacteria will help reduce the risk of the bacteria spreading.
• Preventing bone loss:
  the immune system’s inflammatory response prompted by periodontal bacteria can lead to bone loss in the jaw region as well as tooth loss. Osseous surgery can stop periodontal disease before it progresses to this level.
• Re-establish oral health:
  discoloured gums, rotting teeth and ridge indentations can leave a person feeling too self-conscious to smile. Fortunately, osseous surgery can help reduce bacteria and disease and restore your mouth to its former health and restore confidence at the same time.
• Facilitating home care:
  as the gum pocket deepens, it can become impossible to brush and floss adequately. Osseous surgery reduces the pocket size making it easier to brush and floss. Bacteria and plaque are no longer able to get caught under the gums and will prevent further periodontal disease.

What does the procedure entail?

A local anesthetic will be used to numb the area prior to surgery. First, Dr. Yamaoka or Dr. Park will release the gum around each tooth of the affected area to allow access to the infected bone and roots of the teeth. After the roots have been thoroughly cleaned, the damaged bone is reshaped back to its normal healthy architecture.

Next, the gums will be adapted back around the teeth and secured with dissolvable sutures. The site will also be covered with a bandage (periodontal dressing). Antibiotics and a pain reliever are generally prescribed following the surgery.

Minor bleeding and swelling can occur after the surgery. This can be controlled easily by placing an ice pack on the outside of the surgical area. Several follow up visits are necessary with the first being one week after treatment. A softer diet is best for this initial healing period as well as avoiding strenuous exercise.