How is the basic gingival flap surgery procedure performed
First a local anesthetic injection will be given to the site of the surgery to numb the area. This injection is the same type of injection used when extracting teeth. Therefore, no excessive sedation is necessary unless the patient is very anxious. Then, your dentist will wait a few minutes and test the area again for numbness. The dentist will than make incisions or cuts along the gum margin (neck of the tooth) . When that is done, two vertical incisions are made according to the width of the gingival flap. The gingival flap is than pulled away from the jaw bone using a forceps and a elevator. Your dentist will then examine the exposed bone and roots. If there are inflamed or swollen gum tissue between the teeth, your dentist will remove it. Depending on the situation, inflamed gum tissue may also have to be removed from holes in the bone. Continue reading →
What causes periodontal gum disease ? Our mouths are full of bacteria. These bacteria, along with mucus and other particles, constantly form a sticky, colorless plaque on teeth. Brushing and flossing help get rid of plaque. Plaque that is not removed can harden and form calculus that brushing does not clean. Only a professional cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist can remove the calculus as it is very hard like pieces of rocks.
The longer plaque and calculus are on teeth, the more harmful they become. The bacteria causes inflammation of the gums leading to gingivitis. In gingivitis, the gums become red, swollen and can bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease that can usually be reversed with daily brushing and flossing, and regular cleaning by a dentist or dental hygienist. This form of gum disease does not include any loss of jaw bone and tissue that hold teeth in place. Continue reading →
Inflammation is a protective tissue response to injury or destruction of tissues, which serves to destroy, dilute, or wall off both the injurious agent and the injured tissues. The classical signs of acute inflammation are pain (dolor), heat (calor), redness (rubor), swelling (tumor), and loss of function (functio laesa). Continue reading →