Surgical Therapy on the gums treats infection that is too advanced and pockets that are to deep to reach by scaling and root planing alone.

More extensive surgery is needed when periodontal disease has advanced to the point where supportive tissue has been destroyed. These procedures reshape or actually restore lost bone and ligaments, increasing the chance of saving teeth that otherwise would have been lost. Sometimes, more that type of procedure is performed on the same tooth. These techniques usually require the use of flap surgery to gain access to diseased tissue.

Bone (Osseous) Surgery
This procedure is used to smooth shallow craters in the bone due to mild or moderate bone loss. After gaining access to the damaged bone with flap surgery.  Dr. Hameroff  will reshape the bone around the tooth to decrease the craters. This makes it harder for bacteria to accumulate and grow.

Crown Lengthening
Many times,  when a tooth requires  a
crown the top surface is extremely decayed or badly broken. Your dentist may require more tooth exposed so that the new crown will have a stronger seal and retention. A crown lengthening is a simple surgical procedure. The immediate area surrounding the tooth will be numbed.  An incision the tissue is made to reveal the tooth and supporting bone.

Adjustment of the bony area will be performed. Several sutures will be placed. Those sutures will dissolve. A sedative dressing will be placed to aid in the healing of the surgical site.

A prescription for pain will be given as well as instructions for care of the area. You will return to Dr. Hameroff's office approximately one week. After healing your dentist can now restore the tooth.