Gingiva or gums are the soft tissues which hold our teeth tightly on the bone. Since the gums are the soft tissues which are richly supplied by blood and have nervous sensation, they are the ones which get affected first in case of any bacterial colonization in and around the tooth surface. The gums are first tissues which show signs of any gum or periodontal inflammation. Gums are the protective covering around the teeth which also enclose the periodontal ligament which is the main tissue which attaches the tooth to the bone surface. Any harm to the gums or the periodontal tissues can eventually lead loss of bone around the tooth and sometimes the tooth itself.
What is the normal oral microbial flora ?
The oral cavity is one of the versatile parts of the human body which is constantly in contact with air, water and food, thereby exposing it to a number of foreign agents which could hamper the immunity and cause a disease. The normal oral microflora constitutes the population of microorganisms in the oral cavity which take part in the normal defense mechanism and protect the oral cavity. The microorganisms are acquired at birth and multiply or decrease in number depending on their requirement. If appropriate oral hygiene is not maintained it can cause over activity or underactivity of these microorganisms thereby facilitating a disease process.
What is gum disease ?
If you do not maintain appropriate oral hygiene a layer of food deposits along with saliva adheres to the surface which is called as the plaque or dental plaque. This dental plaque can be removed by brushing of teeth and if it is not removed on a regular basis it leads to the formation of hard deposits on the teeth, the calculus and stains. This calculus deposits may increase the damage to the gums and the periodontal ligament causing diseases.
Certain conditions like reaction to drugs, pregnancy or unknown causes may lead to gum hyperplasia (increase in size or volume). There are certain other types of gingival conditions which are not just associated with the accumulation of deposits on the tooth such as aggressive periodontitis and necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis which can have severe manifestations. Ask your treating dentist or a periodontist (specialist of treating gum problems) about detailed information on such conditions and the type of treatment required.
What are the risk factors which increase the risk of gum disease ?
Gum diseases might be aggravated if you have uncontrolled diabetes, you are on medication for hypertension which may cause gum enlargement, you are immunocompromised and more prone to infections, habit of smoking (as smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease), hormonal imbalances or changes especially in women and genetic predisposition in some individuals.
What are the signs and symptoms of gum disease ?
The main reason one acquires a gum disease is poor maintenance of oral hygiene. Oral hygiene is maintained by brushing appropriately, flossing with the right technique and use of mouthwashes if advised. It’s very essential to understand and learn the right brushing technique from your treating dentist to avoid any gum diseases. Gum disease mostly start with bleeding on brushing and slight swelling of the gums. This bleeding from gums can eventually lead to loss of attachment of the periodontal fibers and loss of tooth. Other symptoms may include bad breath, pus around the teeth and gums, loosening of teeth, bright red gums, ulcerations on the gums (in case of necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis) and soreness of the mouth.
What is the usually the first line of treatment in gum disease ?
Gum diseases are primarily treated with scaling and root planing. An ultrasonic scaler with a fitted coolant (water) is used to break the hard deposits on the teeth and remove the stains. In a root planing the root surface is cleaned of any deposits. Once the deposits are removed the gums reattach themselves to the tooth surface.
When is a gum surgery indicated ?
A gum surgery is indicated when the traditional methods of scaling and root planing are not effective in restoring the gum health, or in severe cases of gum recession (gums leave the surface of the tooth).
Who performs a gum surgery ?
A gum surgery is performed by a dentist who is trained in gum surgeries or a periodontist in the dentist’s office.
How do you prepare for a gum surgery ?
If your dentist’s has advised you for a gum/gingival/periodontal surgery, a detailed history will be taken along with radiographs and orthopantamograph (OPG) to aid in the surgical procedure. The surgeon will also review if you are taking any medications before the procedure to avoid any complications.
Is the gum surgery performed under anesthesia ?
Yes, the procedure is performed under the local anesthesia in the dentist’s office on the dental chair.
What are the types of gum surgeries and how are they performed ?
Gum surgeries can be broadly classified as a gingivoplasty (re-shaping of the gingiva), gingivectomy (removal of gingival tissue which is overgrown) and gingival flap surgery wherein the incisions are placed on the gingiva to raise the gingival flap and clean the underlying tissues and reattach the gingiva with the help of sutures. Sometimes a graft material, either an allograft (from other species) or an autograft (self-tissue for example a graft from the roof of the oral cavity, the palate) is used to repair the gum defect. The surgeon might also put a surgical dressing on the site of the procedure to aid in healing. There are different modifications to the type of gum surgery and the type of grafts used. Other advanced surgical technique for gum and periodontal ligament restoration include guided tissue regeneration.
What after care is required after a gum surgery ?
After the procedure the you will mostly have to visit the dentist in a week’s time to get your stitches removed and to assess the outcome of the procedure. You will be asked to maintain a strict oral hygiene by appropriate brushing, flossing and routine checkups with your dentist.
What are the risks and complications associated with a gum surgery ?
Gum surgery is a rather safe procedure and the complications could be either related to bleeding and infection at the site of the surgery. Delayed wound healing can occur in individuals who do not maintain oral hygiene or are diabetic.
Do gum surgeries need to be repeated ?
If the gum problem which needed to be addressed are not completely resolved, you might need a retreatment procedure.
What is the outcome of a gum surgery ?
Gum surgeries are proven to be very successful in treating oral health issues when other modalities like scaling, root planing and antibiotics have failed. But, one has to be aa candidate for the gum surgery so it is advisable to discuss your symptoms with your dentist and then decide if gum surgery could be the choice of treatment for you.
How to find dental surgeons for gum surgery ?
Now you can find dental surgeons for gum surgery from different dental clinics, hospitals and destinations on a single platform, Hinfoways. You can avail opinions from multiple dental surgeons , get approximate cost for gum surgery from different dental clinics and hospitals, compare things and then choose a dental surgeon or a hospital for gum surgery.
Find and choose a dental surgeon for gum surgery on Hinfoways. Make an informed choice.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is meant for general informational purposes only and hence SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, care or evaluation by a qualified doctor/physician or other relevantly qualified healthcare provider.
