Gum Surgery in Woodland Hills, CA

Welcome to Woodland Hills Family Dentistry! Here, we prioritize your oral health and smile aesthetics. Our team is dedicated to enhancing your oral health and smile appearance while boosting your self-confidence.

Gum surgery is an effective treatment for a wide range of gum diseases and conditions. It plays a pivotal role in treating advanced periodontal disease, repairing gum recession, and creating a solid foundation for future dental procedures. Rest assured, our experienced team will guide you through the process. Feel free to ask us anything!

What is Gum Surgery?

Gum or periodontal surgery includes procedures to address gum disease, recession, appearance, or prepare for other dental treatments. If you have advanced gum disease with deep pockets, bone loss, and persistent inflammation, gum surgery may halt its progression and restore gum health. For significant gum recession, where tissue pulls away from teeth, exposing roots, gum surgery restores lost tissue and protects teeth.

Gum surgery can also address aesthetic concerns like uneven gumlines or excessive gum display, known as a “gummy smile.” Reshaping and contouring gum tissue enhances your smile and creates a balance.

Sometimes, gum surgery is necessary before restorative or cosmetic dental procedures, like implants or veneers. Gum surgery contributes to long-lasting and successful outcomes by ensuring a healthy foundation.

Benefits of Gum Surgery

Gum surgery can be a life-changing treatment. Addressing gum disease and other issues offers numerous benefits for your oral health and overall well-being.

• Halt Gum Disease: Gum surgery removes bacteria, plaque, and calculus that contribute to gum disease. It also reduces pocket depth and restores gum attachment to teeth.
• Repair Gum Recession: Gum recession leads to exposed roots, sensitivity, and aesthetics issues. Gum surgery restores lost tissue and protects teeth from further damage.
• Enhance Smile: Uneven gumlines or excessive gums can impact the appearance of your smile. Gum surgery reshapes and contours tissue for a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile.
• Prepare for Dental Procedures: Gum surgery creates a healthy foundation for future dental treatments, increasing their success rate and longevity.
• Boost Self-Confidence: A healthy smile can boost self-confidence and well-being. Gum surgery can help you feel more comfortable and confident in social situations.

Types of Gum Surgeries

There are several types of gum surgeries, including:

• Gingivectomy: Involves removing and reshaping loose, diseased gum tissue to eliminate pockets between teeth and gums.
• Gingivoplasty: Cosmetic procedure to reshape healthy gum tissue around the teeth.
• Gum grafting: Involves adding gum tissue to areas where it has receded.
• Crown lengthening: Exposes more of a tooth by reshaping or recontouring bone and gum tissue.
• Flap surgery: Used to remove tartar deposits in deep pockets or reduce pocket size, making it easier for patients or dentists to keep the area clean.

Common Reasons for Gum Surgery

Periodontal disease can have serious consequences if left untreated. In advanced cases, surgical intervention may be necessary to manage the condition and prevent further damage. Gum disease treatment is aimed at addressing the underlying issues and promoting your oral health.

Gum recession is another common concern. It can expose tooth roots and lead to sensitivity and potential tooth loss. Gum surgery can be performed to repair the recession and protect your teeth from further damage.

Gum surgery isn’t just about treating oral health issues. It can also work wonders for your smile. For those with uneven or excessive gums, this procedure can help create a more balanced and pleasing appearance, enhancing your smile.

Gum surgery may even be necessary as a preparatory step for restorative or cosmetic dental procedures. In some cases, procedures like placing a crown or other prosthetic require gum surgery to ensure successful results.

Preparing for Gum Surgery

Before undergoing gum surgery, our periodontist will thoroughly evaluate your oral health and discuss the procedure with you in detail. They may also recommend certain lifestyle changes or precautions to take before the surgery.

Maintaining good oral hygiene before the surgery is vital because it can reduce the risk of infection and promote faster healing. Our dentist may also advise avoiding certain medications that can thin the blood and increase bleeding during surgery.

The Gum Surgery Procedure

Detailed steps involved in the surgical process

The gum surgery procedure typically involves the following steps:

1. Anesthesia: Before beginning the surgery, our periodontist will administer local anesthesia to numb the area and make you feel more comfortable.
2. Incision: Once the area is numb, a small incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the underlying bone and tooth roots.
3. Cleaning and reshaping: Our periodontist will then clean the area, remove any diseased tissue or tartar buildup, and reshape the gum tissue as needed.
4. Grafting (if necessary): If a gum graft is required, our periodontist will take tissue from another area of your mouth or use donor tissue to cover exposed tooth roots.
5. Suturing: The gum tissue is then sutured back into place to promote healing and stabilize the graft, if applicable.
6. Post-operative care: Our periodontist will provide instructions on how to care for your gums after surgery, including any necessary medications or follow-up appointments.

Recovery from Gum Surgery

After gum surgery, it’s essential to follow post-operative care instructions provided by our periodontist to promote proper healing and minimize discomfort. This may include taking prescribed medications, avoiding certain foods and activities, and maintaining good oral hygiene.

It’s normal to experience some discomfort, swelling, and bleeding after gum surgery. However, these symptoms should subside within a few days. Our team will also schedule follow-up appointments to ensure that your gums are healing correctly and address any concerns you may have.

Why Choose Woodland Hills Family Dentistry?

Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalized, high-quality care. We combine state-of-the-art technology with a compassionate approach to ensure your comfort and satisfaction. Our periodontist has extensive training and experience in performing gum surgeries, and we use the latest techniques to achieve outstanding results.

If you’re experiencing gum disease or other issues with your gums, don’t hesitate to contact Woodland Hills Family Dentistry. We are committed to

Schedule Your Consultation Today

Gum surgery can be a game-changer in addressing your dental issues and enhancing your smile. At Woodland Hills Family Dentistry, we’re committed to helping you achieve your best oral health and a beautiful smile. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

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On This Page

• What is Gum Surgery?
• Benefits of Gum Surgery
• Types of Gum Surgeries
• Common Reasons for Gum Surgery
• Preparing for Gum Surgery
• The Gum Surgery Procedure
• Recovery from Gum Surgery
• Why Choose Woodland Hills Family Dentistry?

Related Topics

• Periodontal Care
• Gum Grafting
• Cosmetic Periodontal Surgery

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Hear From Our Patients

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Helpful links: WebMD (Periodontal Disease) | ADA (Glossary of Dental Terms)