Surgical procedures on periodontal tissues
Surgical procedures on periodontal tissues - gingival health and aesthetics
Surgical procedures on periodontal tissues are a key part of dental treatment to not only restore gum health, but also to improve the aesthetics of the smile and the stability of teeth and implants. These procedures are used both for periodontal disease and in preparation for orthodontic, prosthetic or implant treatment.
Patients often refer to this problem as 'parodontosis', thinking it is an incurable condition. In reality, it is a chronic inflammation caused by bacteria settling in the gum pockets - a problem that can be effectively stopped and even reversed in most cases. The most common cause is a lack of effective plaque removal and the use of proper oral hygiene techniques.
Indications for such procedures include:
- Gum recession - receding gums, exposure of tooth necks and roots.
- Gingival overgrowth - excess gum tissue, disrupting aesthetics and making hygiene difficult.
- Abnormal proportions of gums and teeth - requiring surgical crown lengthening.
- Gummy smile - excessively visible gums when smiling.Pregnancy complications - women with advanced periodontal disease are more likely to give birth prematurely and have low birth weight babies.
- Abnormal anatomy of the floor of the oral vestibule - affecting tissue stability and hygiene.
Below we describe the most commonly performed surgical procedures on periodontal tissues.
1. treatment of gingival recession - restoration of receding gums
Why does gum recession occur?
Gum recession is the process by which the gums recede and the necks and roots of the teeth are exposed. This can lead to sensitivity, increased risk of tooth decay and loss of tooth stability.
The most common causes of gum recession:
- Brushing too aggressively (using a hard brush, pressing down hard).
- Orthodontic defects and misaligned teeth.
- Chronic inflammation of the gums and periodontal disease.
- Thin gingival biotype (genetic conditions).
- Bruxism and abnormal muscle tone.
Treatment methods for gingival recession
Depending on the degree of recession, the following methods of gingival restoration are used:
Free Gingival Graft (FGG)
- Taking a piece of gingiva from the palate and transplanting it to the recession site.
- Mainly used to thicken and strengthen the gums.
Connective Tissue Graft (CTG)
- Removal of tissue from under the palatal epithelium and placement under the retracted gingiva.
- The most commonly used method for recession, giving the best aesthetic results.
Biological regeneration Emdogain®
- The use of enamel matrix proteins, which stimulate natural tissue regeneration.
Recovery
- Healing takes 2-3 weeks, with full stabilisation of the gums occurring after several months.
- There may be slight pain and swelling after the procedure, but this is usually moderate.
- Antibiotics are not necessary unless there is a risk of infection.
2. Gingivectomy - removal of overgrown gingival tissue
Gingivectomy is a procedure that involves the surgical removal of excess gum tissue, which improves the aesthetics of the smile and facilitates oral hygiene.
Indications:
- Gingival overgrowth due to inflammation or medication (e.g. for epilepsy).
- Correction of the gingival line prior to orthodontic or prosthetic treatment.
How does the procedure work?
- Performed under local anaesthesia, possible use of laser for faster healing.
- Once the excess tissue is removed, the gingiva is precisely modelled.
Recovery
- Full healing - 7-10 days.
- Does not require antibiotic therapy, antiseptic rinses are recommended.
3. surgical lengthening of clinical crowns (gingivosseoplasty)
Tooth crowns that are too short can be an aesthetic problem and make prosthetic treatment difficult. The crown lengthening procedure involves removing excess gum and shaping the bone to achieve the correct tooth length.
Indications:
- Preparation for prosthetic treatment.
- Correction of short tooth crowns in the aesthetic zone.
Recovery:
- Return to daily activities - after a few days, full formation of the gums - after a few months.
4. surgical correction of gummy smile
Gummy smile is the overexposure of the gums when smiling. It can be caused by overgrown gums, short tooth crowns or misaligned teeth.
Treatment methods gummy smile:
- Surgical shortening of the gums - removal of excess gum tissue.
- Gingivosseoplasty - gingival and bone modelling.
- Orthodontic treatment with micro-implants - orthodontic intrusion of teeth using micro-screws to reduce the visibility of the gums.
- Botox - reducing the activity of the lip lift muscle.
Recovery
- Full formation of the gums occurs after a few weeks.
- Antibiotics are only used in cases of extensive surgical intervention.
5. deepening of the floor of the oral vestibule
Atrial floor deepening procedure aims to increase the space between the gum and lip, which improves periodontal stability and enables more effective orthodontic or implant treatment.
Recovery
- Return to normal function - after 2 weeks.
- Requires gentle hygiene and the temporary use of antiseptic rinses.
Summary
Surgical procedures on periodontal tissues allow the health, function and aesthetics of the gums to be restored. Each case requires an individual approach and appropriate planning to achieve optimal results.
- If you have a problem with your gums or want to improve the aesthetics of your smile, contact our team of specialists!
