Periodontal surgery
Periodontal surgery encompasses various procedures aimed at treating severe gum disease, often stemming from untreated dental caries and gingivitis. As periodontal disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in middle-aged and older adults, timely intervention is crucial. Common complications from untreated conditions include the formation of pus-filled abscesses, which can cause significant pain, swelling, and potentially severe infections that may spread to surrounding tissues and bones.
In cases where an abscess develops, treatment options may range from a root canal to more invasive surgical techniques such as an apicoectomy, where the root and surrounding bone are surgically removed. For less advanced infections, a gingivectomy may be performed to eliminate pockets of infection under the gums. While effective, these surgical interventions come with potential complications, primarily from bacteria that may survive in isolated areas post-surgery. Regular dental visits and good oral hygiene are essential in preventing the progression of periodontal issues and the need for surgical intervention. Overall, understanding the necessity and implications of periodontal surgery can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their dental health.
Periodontal surgery
Anatomy or system affected: Gums, mouth, teeth
Definition: Any surgical procedure involving tissues or bone associated with support of the teeth.
Indications and Procedures
Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among persons middle-aged or older. Most periodontal problems originate as dental caries, or cavities, the decay and destruction of teeth by bacteria. While most common periodontal difficulties can be prevented or solved through regular visits to the dentist, if decay is untreated it may lead to serious dental problems. At their worst, periodontal problems may require surgery as part of the treatment.
If decay develops within the root area, a pus-filled abscess may develop. The first indication is an ache or throbbing in the area of the tooth. The gum may be tender and swollen. If the abscess begins to spread, local lymph nodes in the neck may become swollen, as well as that portion of the face. Without proper treatment, the abscess may damage the jawbone or even result in blood poisoning.
The abscess may be eliminated through a root canal procedure, in which the pus is drained and the canal cleaned and filled. If the infection has spread into underlying tissue, however, more general surgery may be required. In a procedure called an apicoectomy, both the root and the bone that covers the root may be drilled away by the oral surgeon. Antibiotics may also be administered to eliminate the infection completely.
Uses and Complications
Most periodontal problems begin with dental caries and gingivitis, an inflammation of the tissue of the gums by bacteria that are associated with the formation of caries. If these conditions are not treated by a dentist in their early stages, they may progress to more serious problems. In addition to the danger of abscess formation, pockets of infection may develop under the gums. Gingivectomy, a minor surgical procedure in which such sites of infection are removed, can usually treat cases that are not advanced.
In most instances, proper oral hygiene is sufficient to prevent problems. When necessary, surgical procedures can treat more advanced cases successfully. Complications are rare and are usually associated with bacteria that are able to survive in isolated crypts. Such sites offer threats of abscess formation. For this reason, the dentist or oral surgeon will monitor the results of the periodontal procedure for some months afterward.
Bibliography
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