Periodontal surgery
Why perform a periodontal surgery?
Untreated gingivitis can advance to periodontitis.
With time, plaque (bacteria) can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria irritate the gums and stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body essentially turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets between the teeth and gums that can become more infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed.
With time, plaque (bacteria) can spread and grow below the gum line. Toxins produced by the bacteria irritate the gums and stimulate a chronic inflammatory response in which the body essentially turns on itself, and the tissues and bone that support the teeth are broken down and destroyed. Gums separate from the teeth, forming pockets between the teeth and gums that can become more infected. As the disease progresses, the pockets deepen and more gum tissue and bone are destroyed.
Eventually, teeth can become loose and may fall out or need to be removed.
In addition, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and create complications in some medically-compromised patients or when the immune system is weak.
What are the expected benefits?
The purpose of periodontal surgery is to reduce infection and inflammation and to restore the gum and bone to the extent possible.
The surgery is intended to help keep the teeth in the operated areas and to make the oral hygiene and the maintenance more effective.
Bone regeneration of deep periodontal defects :
When indicated, regenerative materials may be implemented : the voids or defects around the teeth are filled with PRF and/or bone.
Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF)
PRF is a mixture of white blood cells, fibrin, platelets, stem cells and growth factors. There are no blood additives or chemicals. Only extracts from the patient’s own blood drawn just before the surgical procedures.
Not only does PRF speed up the healing process, it also reduces inflammation/pain and post-operative infections. This PRF can be used alone or combined with a Bone Graft material.
Bone Graft materials
Various types of graft materials may be used. These materials may include a bone obtained from a tissue bank (allografts) or your own bone.
Allografts are donated by living patients undergoing hip replacement procedures. Tissue banks screen these donors, disinfect and test the donated bone to make sure it is safe to use. Bone graft provides a framework for growth of new, living bone. Eventually, the grafted bone is entirely replaced by the patient bone.
Also learn about : Soft-tissue augmetation
