Surgical Periodontal Treatments

When Is Periodontal Surgery Needed?

Periodontal surgery may be considered when gum disease has progressed and deeper areas around the teeth cannot be adequately treated with routine cleaning or non-surgical periodontal treatment.

Depending on your condition, surgery may be used to:

Reduce deep periodontal pockets
Remove infection and deposits from difficult-to-reach areas
Reshape damaged gum or bone tissue
Regenerate lost supporting tissues in appropriate cases
Treat significant gum recession
Improve the long-term health and stability of the teeth

The recommended treatment depends on the severity and location of the periodontal disease and how your gums have responded to previous treatment.

Periodontal Pocket Reduction

Advanced gum disease can cause the space between the gums and teeth to become deeper.

These periodontal pockets can trap bacteria and tartar, making them difficult to keep clean.

Pocket reduction surgery allows the dentist or periodontist to access these deeper areas, remove harmful deposits, and reshape the surrounding tissues when necessary.

The gum tissue is then repositioned to create a healthier environment that is easier to maintain with daily oral hygiene.

Regenerative Periodontal Procedures

In some situations, periodontal disease can result in the loss of bone or other supporting tissues around a tooth.

When appropriate, regenerative procedures may be used to encourage the body to rebuild some of the lost supporting structures.

Depending on the individual situation, regenerative treatment may involve specialized materials designed to support the formation of new bone or periodontal tissue.

Not every patient or tooth is a candidate for regenerative treatment. Your dental team will evaluate the condition of the area and discuss whether this approach may be appropriate.

Gum Grafting

Gum recession can expose the roots of teeth and may lead to sensitivity, root decay, or aesthetic concerns.

A gum graft may be recommended when additional gum tissue is needed to protect an exposed root or improve the appearance of a receding gum line.

During the procedure, gum tissue is placed over the affected area to help provide additional protection and improve the gum contour.

Crown Lengthening

Crown lengthening is another type of periodontal procedure that changes the amount of gum tissue surrounding a tooth.

It may be recommended when:

A tooth is damaged below the gum line
There isn’t enough tooth structure available to support a restoration
Excess gum tissue affects the appearance of the smile

The gum tissue and, when necessary, surrounding bone can be reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth.

For restorative treatment, this can provide your dentist with access to sufficient healthy tooth structure for a crown or other restoration.

What Happens Before Periodontal Surgery?

Before recommending surgery, your dentist will perform a thorough evaluation of your teeth and gums.

This may include:

Measuring periodontal pockets
Examining gum tissue
Evaluating tooth mobility
Reviewing dental X-rays
Assessing supporting bone
Reviewing your medical and dental history
Evaluating your response to previous periodontal treatment

The purpose is to determine the cause and severity of the periodontal problem and whether surgical treatment is appropriate.

What Can You Expect After Treatment?

Recovery depends on the type and extent of periodontal treatment performed.

Your dental team will provide specific instructions to help support healing. These may include recommendations regarding:

Brushing and cleaning around the treated area
Diet during the initial healing period
Managing sensitivity or discomfort
Medications when prescribed
Follow-up appointments
Long-term periodontal maintenance

It’s important to follow your post-treatment instructions carefully and attend all recommended follow-up visits.

Maintaining Your Results

Periodontal treatment is not a substitute for daily oral hygiene.

Once treatment is complete, maintaining healthy gums requires ongoing care.

We recommend:

Brushing twice a day
Cleaning between your teeth daily
Maintaining regular dental examinations
Attending recommended periodontal maintenance appointments
Following your personalized home-care instructions
Letting your dental team know about any changes in your gums

Consistent maintenance can help reduce the risk of periodontal disease returning or progressing.

Meet Our Dental Team

Get to know the experienced dental professionals who are dedicated to providing compassionate, personalized care to our Scarborough community.

Dr. Jeffrey Weinberg

Dr. Christi Steele

Dr. Adam Hellen

Dr. Hayley Benudiz

Dr. Lauren Cait

Dr. Ryan Margel

Dr. Michael Coyne

Brandon Hong

Dr. Rick Horenfeldt

The Proof is in Our Patients

Dr. Weinberg and his staff are all amazing, from reception to hygienists, and dental assistants to the dentists themselves. I have been a patient for over 15 years and definitely will remain a loyal client. The dental work is top notch, I am always made to feel comfortable and I can tell the team really cares. Thank you all for making it such a great experience!

Siobhan G.

Dr Adam and Dr Weinberg are who you want to see. Kristen is great on reception. I find Dr Weinberg very patient and Dr Adam is great at giving needles, I never feel them at all. I would not change dentists

Adam D.

Been seeing Dr Weinberg for almost 2 decades now, he has always been great. But today I had one of the best cleaning of my life with Jackie. She was extremely thorough and it was surprisingly comfortable. I think she is only there temporarily. I do hope they keep her though, she is a great addition and I would happily come more often if they do!

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