Take Care of Your Periodontal Health

Dr. Scott Jett performs a number of procedures that can restore your oral health and keep your gums free of infection. If you are at risk of developing gum disease or you have been diagnosed with gum disease, we may recommend osseous surgery or a scaling and root planing procedure as part of your treatment plan. Both procedures work to reduce pocket depth so that cleaning your teeth becomes easier. These treatments can also help to stop the infection in the mouth.

Osseous Surgery

This procedure is performed on patients with moderate to advanced stages of periodontal disease. It is also known as flap surgery because it involves creating a flap of gum tissue around the area that needs to be treated before lifting the gum tissue for direct access to the bone. This type of surgery may be necessary when the gums have not responded well to scaling and root planing or other gum disease treatments. We can eliminate bacteria in the gums and smooth the bone to promote the healing process. We typically place stitches around the treated area to promote healing.

Scaling and Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is effective for patients that are in the early stages of gum disease and can help to reduce pocket depth by up to three millimeters. This is an alternative to surgery and is commonly recommended when patients are first diagnosed with periodontal disease. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and involves removing plaque and calculus with an ultrasonic tool. We can clean below the gum line and smooth the surface of the teeth so that the gums can reattach to the tissue. You may need to use a prescription-strength antimicrobial oral rinse to reduce the risk of infection after this treatment.