Periodontal Surgery in Summerfield
Bleeding when you brush, gums that have pulled away from your teeth, a tooth that feels loose, or a persistent bad taste — these are the signs that gum disease has moved past what cleanings alone can fix. When bacteria and tartar settle into deep pockets beneath the gumline, no toothbrush can reach them. Periodontal surgery gives us direct access to those areas so we can clean them thoroughly, rebuild what has been lost where possible, and give your gums a fighting chance to reattach to healthy tooth structure. We treat Summerfield patients for these concerns regularly, and no referral is needed to be seen.
Periodontal surgery is a group of procedures aimed at treating advanced gum disease and correcting the damage it causes. Rather than one single operation, it covers several approaches we select based on what we find. Gum grafting rebuilds tissue where recession has exposed root surfaces. Periodontal regeneration works to restore support that has been lost around a tooth. Crown lengthening reshapes gum and bone so a tooth has enough structure above the gumline to hold a crown or filling. Gingivectomy removes diseased or overgrown tissue, and gum contouring reshapes the gumline for a more even, balanced appearance.
Before surgery is ever discussed, we usually begin with non-surgical care — scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning that removes bacteria and tartar from below the gumline. Many Summerfield patients respond well to that alone and move straight into periodontal maintenance. Surgery enters the conversation when pockets stay deep, bone loss continues, or recession has advanced far enough that a graft is the practical answer. We also use laser dentistry as part of our periodontal care.
Good candidates are patients whose gum disease has not resolved with cleanings, who have noticeable recession, or who need healthy gum and bone contours before restorative work can proceed. That last group is larger than people expect: a tooth broken near the gumline often needs crown lengthening before a crown will fit properly, and a site being prepared for a dental implant may need bone grafting or a sinus lift first. Since we place implants and provide implant maintenance here, we can plan the surgical and restorative steps together instead of handing you off.
- A thorough exam with measurements of your gum pockets and a review of your medical history
- A clear explanation of which procedure we recommend and why, with alternatives discussed
- Numbing of the treatment area, with nitrous oxide or oral sedation available if you'd rather be more relaxed
- Careful access to the root surfaces and bone, cleaning, and grafting or reshaping as needed
- Sutures where appropriate and written aftercare instructions before you leave
- A follow-up visit to check healing and plan your ongoing periodontal maintenance
Not everyone is ready for surgery right away. Active infection, medical conditions, and medications all factor in, which is why we review your health history carefully rather than scheduling based on X-rays alone.
Recovery and Keeping Your Results
Most patients find recovery more manageable than they anticipated. Expect some swelling and tenderness for the first few days, managed with cold compresses and the pain relief we recommend. We'll ask you to stick with soft foods for a while, avoid the surgical site when brushing, and skip smoking and vigorous rinsing while the tissue knits back together. Grafted sites generally need the most patience — the tissue is establishing a new blood supply, and that takes time.
Gum disease is a chronic condition, so the work doesn't end when healing does. Periodontal maintenance visits on a tighter schedule than standard cleanings are what protect your investment. Our hygienist monitors pocket depths at each visit so we catch changes early. For Summerfield patients who travel for routine care anyway, keeping maintenance and any restorative follow-up under one roof saves a good deal of back-and-forth.
Convenience, Insurance, and Payment for Summerfield Patients
Our office has served this part of Marion County for over 30 years, and Summerfield residents are a steady part of our practice. Having an on-site dental lab matters here: when periodontal surgery is paired with crowns, dentures, or denture repairs, we can often complete that work far faster than practices sending everything out. If something flares up between appointments, we offer emergency dental appointments.
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file periodontal claims as a general practice. We also welcome self-pay and cash patients, and flexible payment plans are available so treatment can be spread out. We'll go over estimated coverage and your options before you commit to anything. Dr. Hussein Salifu and Dr. Marco Geris see patients of all ages, and we're glad to answer questions about your gums before you decide on treatment.