Advanced Surgical Care for Gum Disease
Periodontal surgery encompasses a range of procedures that address what non-surgical treatment alone cannot fully resolve. Some patients require surgery because their disease has progressed to a stage where instrumentation cannot adequately reach the depth of infection. Others need surgical correction of the changes gum disease has caused, such as recession, bone loss around a tooth, or tissue that has altered the appearance of the smile.
At Falcon Dental Group, all periodontal surgery is performed by Dr. Khashayar Azimi, a board-certified periodontist and dental implant specialist. Patients throughout Harper Woods and Grosse Pointe receive specialist-level surgical periodontal care in-office, without the need for an outside referral.
Did you know…
that periodontal surgery is not exclusively a treatment for disease? While many patients associate periodontal procedures with gum disease management, a significant number of surgical procedures performed by periodontists are reconstructive or cosmetic in nature, addressing recession, bone loss around individual teeth, tissue deficiencies, or the appearance of a smile that has been altered by years of gum disease or natural tissue anatomy.
Periodontal Surgical Procedures We Offer
When non-surgical therapy is no longer enough to control periodontal disease or restore damaged tissues, surgical treatment may provide the best path forward. Dr. Azimi offers a comprehensive range of periodontal procedures to reduce infection, rebuild lost support, protect exposed tooth roots, and improve the health and appearance of your smile.
- Pocket Reduction Surgery for Advanced Periodontitis: Osseous surgery is indicated when periodontal pockets remain too deep after scaling and root planing to be adequately cleaned through instrumentation alone. Under local anesthesia, the gum tissue is gently reflected to expose the root surfaces and underlying bone directly. This access allows Dr. Azimi to remove deep bacterial deposits and reshape irregular bone surfaces that would otherwise continue to harbor infection. The tissue is then repositioned and sutured at a level that reduces pocket depth and makes the area more manageable for long-term maintenance.
- Gum Grafting to Restore Tissue Lost to Recession: When gum recession exposes the root surface of a tooth, the result is increased sensitivity, greater vulnerability to decay, and a risk of the recession continuing to progress without intervention. A gum graft restores tissue coverage over the exposed root using tissue from the patient's palate or from processed donor tissue, protecting the tooth and establishing a stable attachment at the correct level. Beyond protecting the teeth, gum grafting restores a more even and natural gumline, which can have a meaningful impact on the overall appearance of the smile.
- Crown Lengthening: Crown lengthening removes excess gum tissue and, where necessary, a small amount of supporting bone to expose more of the natural tooth structure above the gumline. It serves two distinct purposes depending on the clinical situation. When performed for functional reasons, it creates the tooth exposure needed for a crown or restoration to be placed correctly, particularly when a tooth has broken at the gumline or decay extends too far below the tissue. When performed for cosmetic reasons, it addresses a gummy smile by revealing the full length of the teeth and establishing a more proportionate, balanced gumline.
- Cosmetic Gum Surgery: Cosmetic gum surgery addresses irregularities in the gumline that affect smile aesthetics, whether or not gum disease is present. Gum contouring reshapes uneven or asymmetrical tissue to create a more balanced frame for the teeth. Gum depigmentation addresses dark or uneven pigmentation in the gum tissue, removing the pigmented layer to reveal a more uniform, natural appearance beneath. Both procedures are performed with precision and produce results that are visible as the tissue heals.
Understanding When Surgery Becomes Necessary
Periodontal surgery is recommended only when non-surgical treatment cannot fully control the disease or restore the health of the supporting tissues. After a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Azimi determines whether surgery offers a better long-term outcome than conservative therapy alone.
Periodontal surgery may be recommended if you have:
- Deep periodontal pockets that remain after scaling and root planing
- Bone loss or defects that require surgical access for treatment
- Significant gum recession exposing tooth roots and increasing sensitivity or risk of damage
- Excess gum tissue affecting oral health, function, or smile aesthetics
- Persistent inflammation or infection that does not respond to non-surgical therapy
Every treatment recommendation is based on your individual clinical findings, ensuring surgery is advised only when it provides meaningful benefits that non-surgical care cannot achieve.
Find Out Which Periodontal Surgical Procedure Is Right for You
Whether you need surgery to control advanced gum disease, restore tissue lost to recession, prepare a tooth for a crown, or improve the appearance of your gumline, Falcon Dental Group has the surgical expertise to address your situation. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Azimi and find out what periodontal surgery can do for the health and appearance of your smile. Our office serves patients throughout Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe, and the surrounding communities.