Periodontal Treatment & Surgeries

A good smile requires good foundations throughout your whole mouth and oral health. If you are dealing with gum disease or other periodontal concerns, having a board-certified periodontist on your side can give you the confidence you need to treat your oral health. If you are looking for an experienced periodontist and an office with advanced dental technology for improved results, we invite you to call Precision Dental Group in Hillsborough, NJ, to schedule your periodontics consultation.

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What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease, commonly known as gum disease, is a chronic infection of the gums and supporting bone around the teeth. It is most commonly caused by bacteria that accumulate in plaque and tartar along and below the gumline. Over time, these bacteria trigger inflammation and infection, leading to damage of the gums and the bone that supports the teeth. If left untreated, periodontal disease can result in gum recession, bone loss, and eventual tooth loss.

Periodontal treatments and surgeries are performed to treat periodontal disease. The goal of treatment is to stop the progression of the disease, eliminate infection, and preserve the health and stability of your teeth and gums.

Do I Need Periodontal Care?

Periodontal disease often progresses silently, especially in its early stages. If you notice any of these symptoms, we invite you to visit us for a periodontal evaluation:

  • Red or swollen gums: Gums may look inflamed or feel tender to the touch.
  • Bleeding during brushing or flossing: Frequent bleeding is often an early warning sign.
  • Persistent bad breath: Ongoing odor that doesn’t improve with brushing.
  • Receding gums: Teeth may appear longer as gum tissue pulls back.
  • Gum tenderness or discomfort: Sensitivity along the gumline or between teeth.
  • Changes in bite or tooth alignment: Teeth may feel like they’ve shifted.
  • Loose teeth: Advanced gum disease can weaken the support around teeth.
  • Pus along the gumline: A sign of infection that should be evaluated promptly.
  • Discomfort when chewing: Inflammation can make biting or chewing uncomfortable.

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing further damage. If you have any of these symptoms, we can help plan a periodontal treatment to rejuvenate your smile and restore your optimal oral health.

Understanding Periodontal Disease

Not all periodontal disease is the same for every person. It may have different symptoms and require different care. On top of that, there are three stages of gum disease.

First, there is gingivitis, which is completely reversible. Many people will experience gingivitis in their lifetime. The first step in treating gingivitis is increasing attention to your oral health habits, by brushing with correct techniques twice a day and flossing. We may also recommend a special mouthwash or toothpaste.

Gingivitis can turn into periodontitis. This may have some permanent, but minor effects on your teeth. It may result in gum recession. We recommend treating periodontitis with a root scaling and planing, a minor dental procedure, also called a dental deep clean. We will scrape away plaque and tartar from around and under your gumline. We may recommend you complete this a couple of times to fully treat your periodontal concerns. Advanced cases of periodontitis may require more intensive surgery.

Once gum disease has advanced to a stage where it is harming your mouth permanently and putting your oral health at great risk, it is called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease can result in lost teeth if not managed properly. We work with you to prevent periodontal disease in the first place, but if it occurs, we offer osseous surgery, which prevents tooth loss from periodontal disease.

The Risks of Putting Off Periodontal Treatment

Periodontal disease does not improve on its own. When treatment is delayed, mild symptoms can progress into more serious oral health concerns that require more complex care. Addressing gum disease early helps protect both your smile and your long-term oral health.

  • Progressive Gum and Bone Damage: Ongoing inflammation can gradually damage the gum tissue and bone that support your teeth. As the disease advances, gums may continue to recede, creating deeper pockets where bacteria can collect and multiply.
  • Increased Tooth Sensitivity and Discomfort: As gums pull away from the teeth, exposed tooth roots may lead to heightened sensitivity, tenderness, and discomfort when eating or brushing.
  • Changes in Bite and Tooth Stability: Untreated periodontal disease can weaken the structures that hold teeth in place. Over time, this may cause teeth to shift, feel loose, or change the way your bite comes together.
  • Higher Risk of Tooth Loss: Advanced periodontal disease is one of the most common causes of tooth loss in adults. Without treatment, damage to the supporting bone can make it difficult to preserve natural teeth.
  • More Involved Treatment Over Time: Delaying care can reduce the effectiveness of conservative treatments. Earlier intervention may allow for simpler solutions, while advanced disease may require surgical procedures to stabilize oral health.

Periodontal treatment is focused on preserving the foundation of your smile. Seeking care at the first signs of gum disease helps protect your teeth, maintain comfort, and support long-term oral health.

Our Periodontal Surgery Options

When non-surgical treatments such as deep cleanings are not sufficient to control the infection, periodontal surgery may be recommended to access and treat deeper areas of disease.

Osseous surgery is performed to treat advanced periodontal disease where bone loss has created irregular bone contours around the teeth.

How the procedure is done:
The gum tissue is gently lifted away from the teeth to allow access to the underlying bone and root surfaces. Bacteria, tartar, and infected tissue are thoroughly removed. The bone is then carefully reshaped to eliminate deep pockets and create a smoother, more natural contour. Once the area is cleaned and reshaped, the gums are repositioned and secured in place.

Benefits of osseous surgery:

  • Reduces deep periodontal pockets
  • Makes the area easier to keep clean
  • Helps stop further bone loss
  • Improves long-term gum health and tooth stability

Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR) is a regenerative procedure used when periodontal disease has caused significant bone loss.

How the procedure is done:
After lifting the gum tissue and removing bacteria and diseased tissue, a specialized biocompatible membrane is placed between the bone and the gum tissue. This membrane acts as a barrier, preventing the gum tissue from growing into the bone area too quickly. This allows the bone and supporting tissues time to regenerate properly. In some cases, bone grafting materials may also be placed to enhance regeneration.

Benefits of GTR:

  • Encourages regrowth of bone and supporting tissues
  • Improves tooth support and stability
  • Helps preserve natural teeth
  • Reduces the need for future tooth loss or more extensive treatment

Crown lengthening is done to make teeth longer to improve the esthetics of gummy smiles or create space for dental crowns/ veneers.

How the procedure is done: Excess gum and bone tissue is reshaped to expose more of the natural tooth. This is a minor surgical procedure with minimal postoperative discomfort. Crown lengthening is often performed with other dental procedures like crowns or veneers to give you an optimal esthetic result.

Benefits of Crown Lengthening

  • Improves the appearance of a gummy smile
  • Creates proper space for crowns or veneers
  • Enhances the fit and longevity of restorations
  • Supports healthier gum contours

Sinus lift (or a sinus graft) regenerates bone loss in the upper back area for future dental implant placement. This is often needed when upper back molar teeth are missing. 

How the procedure is done: Using CBCT imaging, we carefully evaluate your sinus and existing bone to plan treatment accurately. Bone graft material is then placed in the upper jaw beneath the sinus to rebuild lost bone and create support for a dental implant. In some cases, the implant may be placed at the same visit. Our team provides clear post-operative instructions to support healing, and most patients experience minimal discomfort during recovery.

Benefits of a Sinus Lift

  • Restores bone volume in the upper jaw
  • Creates a stable foundation for dental implants
  • Expands implant options in the upper back teeth
  • Improves long-term implant success

How to Know if You Need Oral Surgery

The best way to know if you need surgery is to get a recommendation from a dentist. We offer consultations to learn about your surgical options. We will never recommend a surgery before evaluating if more conservative treatment options are an option.

Why Choose a Periodontist for Oral Surgeries?

Oral surgery involves more than addressing a single concern—it requires a deep understanding of the gums, bone, and supporting structures that keep your smile healthy and functional. A periodontist is uniquely trained to manage these complex areas, making them especially well-suited for surgical procedures involving the soft tissue and bone of the mouth.

Periodontists receive advanced, specialized education beyond dental school that focuses exclusively on diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the gums and underlying bone. This expertise allows them to perform oral surgeries with precision, planning each procedure to protect surrounding structures and promote long-term oral health. Whether surgery is needed to treat periodontal disease, prepare for future restorations, or correct structural concerns, a periodontist approaches care with a holistic understanding of your mouth.

Choosing a periodontist for oral surgery also means your treatment is guided by careful evaluation and advanced imaging. We used technology to guide us to a better result for your surgeries.

Our Oral Surgery Options

Teeth Removal

Teeth removal may be needed to remove badly damaged teeth or to create space for braces. 

After numbing the mouth, the tooth will be loosened and removed. You will feel some slight pressure during this process. The socket is thoroughly cleaned out. Stitches may be added. 
Since tooth extraction leaves the socket empty, we may recommend a dental implant or bone regeneration.

Bone Regeneration

Bone grafts restore bone loss around teeth or previously lost teeth. When performed around existing teeth, it creates more support for teeth, allowing them to last longer. Grafting is routinely done at the time of tooth removal to preserve the existing bone volume for future dental implants. Bone grafts can also be done in areas with missing teeth to grow back lost bone in order to support dental implants or other dental restorations.

This is a minor surgical procedure performed by Dr. Wong, our periodontist. Bone graft material will be placed in the area needed and allowed to heal. The kind of graft material we use will depend on several situations. We will discuss your graft options during a consultation.

Gum Rejuvenation

Gum rejuvenation (or gum regeneration) treats gum loss that can lead to sensitivity, cavities, or even tooth loss. Our specialists use minimally invasive surgical techniques to restore your previous gum line and thicken the gum tissue to prevent future gum loss.

After numbing the mouth, the gums are loosened and repositioned. A gum graft from either the patient’s own gum tissue or donor tissue is tucked underneath and secured with sutures. Healing usually takes a couple of weeks.

Recovering From Oral and Gum Surgery

Following post-surgical instructions closely helps protect the treated area and supports healthy tissue regeneration. We recommend that you:

  • Rest and Protect the Area: Plan to rest for the remainder of the day following surgery. Avoid strenuous activity for several days, as increased blood flow can disrupt healing. Do not touch or disturb the surgical site, and avoid pulling on the lips or cheeks to look at the area.
  • Manage Swelling and Discomfort: Mild swelling and tenderness are normal after oral surgery. Applying a cold compress to the outside of the face in short intervals during the first 24 hours can help reduce swelling. Any prescribed or recommended medications should be taken exactly as directed.
  • Be Mindful of Eating and Drinking: Stick to soft foods and avoid chewing near the surgical area while it heals. Lukewarm foods are ideal, and drinking through straws should be avoided, as suction can interfere with healing. Staying hydrated is important, but alcohol should be avoided during recovery.
  • Maintain Gentle Oral Hygiene: Keeping your mouth clean is essential, but brushing and flossing should be done carefully around the surgical site. If a rinse is recommended, use it as directed to reduce bacteria without irritating healing tissues.
  • Follow Up as Recommended: Attending follow-up visits allows your provider to monitor healing and address any concerns early. If you experience increasing pain, swelling, or unusual symptoms, contact the office promptly.

Ongoing Care After Treatment

Following periodontal surgery, ongoing care is essential to maintain results. We will create a personalized periodontal maintenance plan that may include more frequent cleanings and at-home care instructions to keep your gums healthy and disease-free.

Periodontal Care in Hillsborough, NJ

We offer periodontal care and oral surgery in Hillsborough, NJ. Oral surgery doesn’t have to be complicated or scary, because we make it easy with advanced technology and personalized approaches. Call us to schedule a consultation with Precision Dental Group in Hillsborough, NJ, and learn about our surgical options.

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