Medical Health Encyclopedia

There is some debate about whether this procedure is any more effective in preventing disease progression than non-surgical therapies, such low-dose doxycycline, short-term antibiotics, or antibiotic gels. Some studies have reported that although surgical treatment reduced pocket depth more than non-surgical therapies for at least a year after the procedure, benefits from surgery do not persist beyond 5 years, except in very deep pockets.

Postsurgery Pain and Discomfort. Post-surgery discomfort is usually managed easily with over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen. If discomfort is severe, stronger analgesics may be prescribed. Some patients experience sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures from exposed roots; these problems can be managed with topical fluoride treatments or, in severe cases, with dental restoration.

Techniques and Materials for Restoring Gum Tissue and Bone

Text Continues Below

---

Guided Tissue Regeneration. A more advanced technique is called guided tissue regeneration, which is being used to stimulate bone and gum tissue growth:

• First the root surfaces and diseased bone are meticulously cleaned out. Preventing bacterial contamination is very important; the more residual bacteria, the greater the chance that the treatment will fail.
• A specialized piece of fabric is sewn around the tooth to cover the crater in the bone left after the cleaning. It is either absorbable or nonabsorbable. (Studies are reporting highly beneficial results with new absorbable materials, including one that is coated with the antibiotic doxycycline.)
• The gum is then sewn over the fabric. The fabric prevents the gum tissue from growing down into the bone defect and allows the bone and the attachment to the root to regenerate.
• After 4 to 6 weeks the nonabsorbable fabric must be removed using a minor surgical procedure. The absorbable membrane may be left in. In general, there is little difference in outcome between absorbable and nonabsorbable procedures. The absorbable fabric may not be as effective as standard grafts if gum tissue is thin, although newer materials may prove to produce better results.