If you have been recently diagnosed with periodontal disease and if conservative treatments have failed, then your dental professional may suggest the use of surgery to help your gums heal. And, there are a few different types of surgical approaches that can be taken. Keep reading to learn a little bit more about the various surgical options.

Gum Flap Procedure

If you have deep pockets along the edges of the teeth, then this is likely why you have periodontal disease. These pockets are able to collect with tartar, plaque, and food particles. Bacteria gather in these spaces as well and this causes inflammation and infection. To stop the infectious process, your dentist will close up these pockets with the use of healthy gum tissues taken from elsewhere in the mouth.

Healthy tissues are formed into flaps that are shaped to cover the teeth wherever there are gaps. Typically, the flaps are used in the back parts of the mouth where your first and second molars are located. However, additional flaps may be created in any area where gum pockets are deep and wide.

In addition to the flap procedure, your dentist may need to reshape the jaw bone that holds the teeth in place. The reshaping helps to smooth the bone's surface. A smooth surface is far less likely to allow bacteria to collect and thrive. 

Tissue Regeneration

Bone destruction is one of the more troublesome features of periodontal disease. When the bone is broken down, the teeth are no longer supported, which can lead to movement and pain. To help with stability, your dentist can encourage the regrowth of the bone structure. To do this, the professional must prevent soft tissues from falling into the spaces where bone has been lost. 

To complete this procedure, the dentist will use a scalpel to open up the tissue. The area around the bone is cleaned out and the bone also may be smoothed or shaped at this time. Then, a small membrane is secured between the bone and the gum tissues. The area is stitched and left to heal.

Over the course of several months, the bone starts to rebuild and the membrane breaks down and disintegrates. However, bone will likely not be as thick as it was before you developed periodontal disease. For this reason, you will need to keep up on your oral care to prevent a new issue from developing. 

If you want to know more about surgical approaches to periodontal disease, speak with your dental professional.