Cosmetic & Reconstructive Periodontics & Implant Surgery

Periodontics and Implant Surgery

Tempe, AZ

480.820.4342

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Pocket Reduction Surgery

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacteria in the form of a sticky, colorless plaque that constantly forms on your teeth. However, many factors can cause periodontal disease or influence its progression.

Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth like a turtleneck around your neck. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming “pockets” around the teeth.

Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to live. As bacteria develop around the teeth they can accumulate and advance under the gum tissue. These deep pockets collect even more bacteria, resulting in further bone and tissue loss. Eventually, too much bone is lost, and the teeth need to be extracted.

One or a combination of these procedures will be used to eliminate the pockets around the teeth.

  • Osseous Surgery – This procedure involves lifting or folding the gums away from the teeth and surrounding bone. Infected tissue (granulation tissue) is removed. The diseased root surfaces are cleaned and curetted (scraped) to remove deposits of calculus, bacteria and toxins. The irregular bone surfaces of the diseased bone are smoothed to limit areas where bacteria can hide. This allows the gum tissue to better reattach to healthy bone. The gum is put back in place and sutured.
  • Bone Regeneration – Guided Tissue Regeneration – During this procedure the gum tissue is folded back from the teeth and surrounding bone. Infected gum tissue (granulation tissue) is removed. The diseased root surfaces are cleaned and curetted (scraped) to remove deposits of calculus, bacteria and toxins. Bony defects are filled in with bone grafts and covered with a membrane or barrier. The gums are then sutured back in place.
  • Open Flap Debridement – This procedure involves lifting or folding the gums away from the teeth and surrounding bone. The diseased root surfaces are cleansed and curetted (scraped) to remove deposits of calculus, bacteria and toxins. The gum tissue is replaced into position to minimize pocket depth.

Eliminating existing bacteria and regenerating bone and tissue helps to reduce pocket depth and repair damage by the progression of periodontal disease. In conjunction with daily home care and an individually designed professional maintenance program, you can significantly increase the chances of keeping your natural teeth and maintaining a healthy smile.

MARK C. WARING, D.D.S.

COSMETIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE PERIODONTICS & IMPLANT SURGERY - TEMPE, AZ