Pocket Reduction Surgery
(osseous surgery, open flap debridement, gingivectomy)
The treatment of periodontal disease is aimed at eliminating infection and inflammation, and in turn a healthy periodontium. Non surgical therapy very often may be sufficient to treat this disease. However, if non surgical periodontal therapy does not achieve periodontal health, surgery may be indicated to restore periodontal anatomy damaged by periodontal diseases, and to facilitate oral hygiene practices.
Reasons for Pocket Reduction Surgery
- When periodontal probing depths a severely deep, non surgical treatment may not be effective in establishing health. Surgical access will allow the opportunity for efficient and thorough treatment that will establish a healthy oral environment that is easy to maintain by the patient and dentist.
- Halting bone loss and increasing pocket depth – Reducing pocket depth and eliminating existing bacteria are important to prevent damage caused by the progression of periodontal disease
- Surgical treatment provides the opportunity to reconstruct destroyed periodontal tissues (including bone)
To sustain periodontal health, the majority of patients, post-surgical, will require ongoing maintenance therapy. The goal of maintenance therapy is to prevent the reappearance and advancement of periodontal disease.