If we can catch gum disease before it progresses, we can normally do a deep cleaning (or scaling and root planning) to remove deep tartar under your gums. If these areas are thoroughly cleaned and kept clean they will often heal up. The idea is to prevent gum surgery to try to save teeth or the loss of teeth. Years ago, deep cleaning had to mostly be performed under local anesthesia (injections to numb the gums). With new techniques and improvements in topical anesthesia, injections are rarely needed in these cases. The idea behind scaling and root planning it to clean and smooth off the infected roots of the teeth and let the gums naturally heal.
Gum Surgery to Save Teeth
Gum surgery is only done in cases with severe bone loss around teeth. At Advanced Family Dentistry, we have 2 periodontists (gum specialists) on staff to perform this service. They offer traditional gum surgery where the gum tissue is cut back and infected bone is removed plus new laser surgery. Laser surgery is less invasive so less pain after surgery. Advance Family Dentistry is one of the only dental office in the Austin Area offering this service.
Cosmetic Gum Surgery
If your gums are grown up over your teeth making your teeth look small or showing too much gum when you smile, cosmetic gum surgery might be right for you. This is normally a simple procedure which can be performed under local anesthesia. Any gum surgery can be performed with the comfort of oral or IV sedation.
