Consequently, tooth loss and bone deterioration may occur.

Types of surgical procedures

The type of surgery a dental surgeon performs depends on the type and severity of gum disease.

Prior to surgery, the dental surgeon may perform a deep cleaning of the gums. This process, called deep scaling, involves removing tartar and bacteria from both the teeth and gums.

Additionally, root planing can be conducted to smooth the root surfaces of the teeth, reducing areas where tartar and bacteria can accumulate. This procedure also eliminates any tartar present on the root surfaces.

Typically, deep scaling and root planing are performed simultaneously.

Flap surgery

Flap surgery is especially helpful for people who have tartar deposits in deep pockets. The procedure involves lifting the gums off of the teeth to remove tartar buildup.

After the surgeon has cleaned the area and removed the tartar, they will stitch the gums into place to fit around the teeth. Sometimes, the bone may require reshaping during this procedure.

Bone grafting

If the bone surrounding a tooth's root is damaged or deteriorated, a bone graft may be necessary. This procedure entails replacing the damaged bone with new bone, which can be sourced from the patient's own bone, a synthetic bone substitute, or donated bone.

The objective of bone grafting is to stabilize the tooth and facilitate its regeneration.

Guided tissue regeneration

In this procedure, a dental surgeon inserts a small mesh-like material between a person’s bone and gum tissue. This material acts as a barrier, preventing the gum tissue from encroaching into the space meant for bone regeneration. This enables the bone and connective tissue to regrow effectively.

Tissue grafting

Gum line recession, which occurs due to the loss of gum tissue, may necessitate soft tissue grafting to prevent additional damage.

In this procedure, a dental surgeon typically harvests tissue from another part of the body, often the roof of the mouth, and reattaches it to the area where the gum has receded.

Soft tissue grafting not only minimizes the risk of further damage but also covers any exposed roots, improving oral health and aesthetics.

Other treatment options include:

• Laser therapy: Although no current evidence fully supports laser therapy, some dentists use it to reduce the size of pockets and restore damaged connective tissue.
• Tissue-stimulating proteins: This procedure involves using a protein-containing gel to stimulate bone and tissue growth.