Periodontal Surgery in Ocala
Bleeding when you brush, gums that have started to pull away from your teeth, a tooth that feels looser than it used to — these are the kinds of changes that bring Ocala patients into our office asking what comes next. When gum disease has progressed past what a deep cleaning alone can resolve, periodontal surgery becomes the tool that lets us reach beneath the gumline, clean out what's hiding there, and rebuild the foundation your teeth depend on. We've cared for Ocala families for more than 30 years, and gum health is one of the areas where early, honest conversation makes the biggest difference.
Periodontal surgery is a group of procedures that treat the gums and the bone surrounding your teeth. Gum disease begins as inflammation, but as it advances, bacteria settle into pockets between the gum and tooth root where a toothbrush can't reach. Over time, the bone that anchors your teeth begins to break down. Surgery allows us to access those deeper areas directly, remove diseased tissue and hardened deposits, reshape or regenerate lost bone, and reposition the gums so they fit snugly against the tooth again.
Not every case looks the same, which is why we offer several approaches. Gum grafting rebuilds tissue where recession has exposed sensitive root surfaces. Periodontal regeneration works to restore bone and attachment that disease has destroyed. Crown lengthening exposes more of a tooth's structure, often so a crown or filling can be placed properly. Gum contouring and gingivectomy reshape uneven or overgrown gum tissue, sometimes for health reasons and sometimes to correct a smile that shows more gum than a patient would like. We also use laser dentistry as part of our periodontal care, and because we place dental implants and provide implant maintenance here, we can manage both the treatment of gum disease and the replacement of teeth that couldn't be saved.
Most of the Ocala patients we treat surgically have already tried non-surgical care first. Scaling and root planing is usually the starting point, and for many people it's enough. When pockets remain deep after that, when bleeding continues, or when X-rays show bone loss progressing, surgery is the reasonable next step. We'd rather explain why than simply recommend it, so we'll show you what we're seeing and talk through the alternatives.
Other patients come to us for reasons that aren't about disease at all. Someone preparing for a crown may need crown lengthening before the restoration can fit correctly. A patient bothered by a gummy smile may want contouring as part of a cosmetic plan. Someone with a tooth root exposed by years of recession may need grafting to stop sensitivity and protect the root from decay. We treat adults and children, we see patients from across Ocala and surrounding communities including Belleview, Silver Springs, Summerfield, and Dunnellon, and you don't need a referral to be seen for periodontal care.
What Treatment and Recovery Look Like
Your first visit is an evaluation. We measure pocket depths, review your medical history, take images, and perform an oral cancer screening as part of a thorough look at your mouth. From there we build a plan and explain the sequence, the number of visits, and what each one involves before anything is scheduled.
On the day of surgery, the area is numbed thoroughly. For patients who feel anxious, we offer nitrous oxide sedation and oral sedation so the appointment is calmer and easier to get through. Afterward, you'll go home with written instructions and a clear point of contact if anything concerns you.
- Soft foods and gentle rinsing for the first several days
- Careful brushing around the surgical site, following the instructions we provide
- Some swelling or tenderness that eases as healing progresses
- A follow-up visit so we can check the tissue and remove sutures if needed
- Ongoing periodontal maintenance cleanings with our hygienist to protect the results
That last point matters more than any single procedure. Gum disease is chronic, and maintenance visits on a schedule we set together are what keep it from returning.
Insurance, Payment, and Scheduling in Ocala
We accept all major PPO insurance plans and file periodontal claims as a general practice, which often simplifies coverage for our patients. We also welcome self-pay patients and offer flexible payment plans, and we'll give you a clear breakdown of costs before treatment begins so there are no surprises.
Our office includes an on-site dental lab, which helps when periodontal work connects to crowns, dentures, or implant restorations — fewer trips across town for Ocala patients. Dr. Hussein Salifu and Dr. Marco Geris see patients of all ages, and we keep room for emergency appointments when gum pain or swelling can't wait. If something in your mouth has changed, call us and let's take a look.