What is osseous surgery for?

Osseous surgery is a treatment for the gum disease called periodontitis. People with periodontitis develop holes called defects in the bone around their teeth and retain deep gum depth. Osseous surgery reshapes the bone to get rid of the defects, reducing deep gum depth (called pockets) and eliminating existing bacteria. This procedure is often used to treat bone loss around multiple teeth.

Deeper gum depths are more difficult for you and your dental care professional to clean, so it’s important for you to reduce the depth of these pockets. Reduced pocket depths and a combination of daily oral hygiene and professional maintenance care can increase your chances of keeping your natural teeth – and decrease the chance of serious health problems associated with periodontal disease.

Can I have osseous surgery right away after my first exam?

Before your surgery, you need to have basic periodontal treatment called scaling and root planing. You also must take good care of your teeth. You should brush twice a day and floss daily.

Our hygienist will help you learn how to take a good care of your teeth. Scaling root planing is called “non surgical treatment” or “initial treatment” which is the first step of gum disease treatment. We try to minimize the area, which requires surgical treatment with this initial therapy. After non-surgical therapy (scaling root planing) has been completed, Dr. Nagatomo will re-measure the depth of your pockets. A pocket reduction procedure may be recommended if you have remaining pockets that are too deep to clean or maintain non-surgically.

Do I need a general anesthesia for this procedure?

No, A local anesthetic is used to numb the area for surgery. If you like, we can presercribe the oral sedation pill.