Gum Health & Smile Support
Periodontal Surgery in Altadena, CA
Gentle, targeted gum surgery to protect your teeth and smile at Mint Dental Loft.
Periodontal Surgery is used to treat advanced gum disease, reshape the gum line, and help save teeth that might otherwise be lost. At Mint Dental Loft in Altadena, CA, we focus on comfortable, evidence-based procedures that reduce infection, support bone and gums, and make it easier for you to keep your mouth healthy for the long term.
Periodontal Surgery in Altadena, California
Periodontal Surgery at Mint Dental Loft
Periodontal Surgery at Mint Dental Loft in Altadena, CA is recommended when deep gum infection or bone loss cannot be fully managed with cleanings alone. By gently lifting the gums, cleaning infected areas, reshaping bone, or adding grafts where needed, we help reduce pockets, control disease, and create a healthier foundation for your teeth and future dental work.
How Periodontal Surgery helps your gums and teeth
When gum disease has progressed, bacteria hide deep under the gums where regular brushing and flossing cannot reach. Periodontal Surgery allows us to carefully access these areas, remove tartar and infected tissue, and smooth damaged bone so the gums can heal in a tighter, healthier position. In some cases, we may also reposition the gum line, add soft tissue grafts to cover exposed roots, or prepare the area for future restorations like Dental Crowns or implants.
- Reduces deep gum pockets Makes it easier to keep teeth clean at home and during professional cleanings.
- Helps save teeth Removes infection and stabilizes the support around teeth that might otherwise loosen or be lost.
- Improves comfort and sensitivity Gum and tissue grafts can cover exposed roots and reduce painful sensitivity.
- Supports future restorations Creates a healthier foundation for crowns, bridges, or implants to last longer.
Types of Periodontal Surgery we may recommend
Every mouth is different, so your treatment plan is tailored to your specific pattern of bone and gum loss. We’ll explain which procedures we recommend and why, using photos and images to help you understand what’s happening under the gums.
- Pocket reduction (flap) surgery to clean deep areas of infection and reposition the gums
- Bone reshaping or grafting to smooth defects and support teeth more evenly
- Gum grafts to cover exposed roots and thinned gum tissue
- Crown lengthening to adjust the gum line and reveal more healthy tooth for future restorations
- Guided tissue or bone regeneration techniques when appropriate
Am I a candidate for Periodontal Surgery?
You may be a candidate for Periodontal Surgery if you have persistent bleeding gums, loose teeth, deep pockets measured during your exam, or bone loss visible on X-rays. It is often recommended when scaling and root planing (deep cleanings) alone cannot control the disease. We’ll review your medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors such as smoking, and coordinate with your physician if needed to ensure treatment is safe and effective.
Before moving forward, we’ll discuss the specific areas we recommend treating, what to expect during and after surgery, healing timelines, and how to care for your mouth at home. We’ll also review costs, your periodontal and surgical coverage through insurance, and any CareCredit, Cherry, and Sunbit financing or payment options so you can choose a plan that fits your health and your budget.
Take the next step toward healthier gums
Gum disease is common, but it doesn’t have to cost you your teeth. If you’ve been told you have advanced periodontal issues—or you’re noticing bleeding, bad breath, or loose teeth—call (626) 639-8618 or contact Mint Dental Loft in Altadena, CA to schedule a periodontal evaluation. Together, we’ll decide whether Periodontal Surgery is the right next step to protect your smile.
Periodontal Surgery FAQs
- What is Periodontal Surgery?
- Periodontal surgery treats advanced gum disease by lifting the gum tissue away from the teeth so the root surfaces and the bone underneath can be cleaned directly. Mint Dental Loft uses it to reduce deep pockets, reshape or regenerate lost bone, and graft tissue over exposed roots, then repositions and sutures the gum against the cleaned surfaces.
- Why might I need Periodontal Surgery instead of just a deep cleaning?
- Scaling and root planing reaches roughly 5 mm below the gum line. Once pockets are deeper than that, instruments cannot reach the bacteria at the base and the pocket persists no matter how thorough the cleaning. Mint Dental Loft recommends surgery when pockets remain 6 mm or deeper after non-surgical therapy has been given time to work.
- Is Periodontal Surgery painful?
- No. The procedure is performed under local anesthetic and is not felt. Expect soreness, swelling, and sensitivity for three to five days afterward, managed with over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and a soft diet. Mint Dental Loft offers nitrous oxide or oral sedation for patients who find the prospect stressful.
- How long does it take to heal after Periodontal Surgery?
- The gum surface closes within one to two weeks, and sutures are removed or dissolve in that period. Bone and deeper tissue continue remodeling for three to six months, which is when pocket depths are re-measured. Mint Dental Loft schedules a review at two weeks and again at three months to confirm the response.
- Will Periodontal Surgery fix my gum disease permanently?
- Surgery removes the infection and reduces pocket depth, but periodontal disease is chronic and recurs without ongoing maintenance. Mint Dental Loft places patients on a three- to four-month periodontal maintenance interval afterward, because plaque recolonizes pockets within about 12 weeks and that interval is what keeps the result stable.
- What types of Periodontal Surgery do you perform?
- Mint Dental Loft performs pocket reduction flap surgery to clean and reshape deep pockets, bone grafting and guided tissue regeneration to rebuild lost support, soft tissue grafting to cover exposed roots, gingivectomy to remove overgrown tissue, and crown lengthening to expose more tooth for a restoration. The choice depends on whether tissue needs removing, reshaping, or rebuilding.
- How much does Periodontal Surgery cost, and is it covered by insurance?
- Periodontal surgery generally runs $600 to $1,500 per quadrant, with grafting procedures costing more. Dental plans commonly cover 50 to 80 percent as a major service, subject to the annual maximum, and usually require documented pocket depths and radiographs. Mint Dental Loft submits that documentation with a pre-treatment estimate.
- Will I need to take time off work?
- Most patients return to work the next day. Mint Dental Loft advises avoiding strenuous exercise and heavy lifting for three to five days, since raised blood pressure can disturb the surgical site and restart bleeding. Plan a day of rest if more than one quadrant is treated in a single appointment.
- What can I do at home to support healing and prevent future problems?
- Follow the prescribed rinse, avoid brushing the surgical site until cleared, and eat soft foods for the first week. Stopping smoking matters more than any other single factor, because smoking constricts the blood supply to gum tissue and is the strongest predictor of surgical failure. Mint Dental Loft reviews your technique at the follow-up visit once the site has healed.
- How do I get started with Periodontal Surgery at Mint Dental Loft?
- Call Mint Dental Loft in Altadena at (626) 639-8618 or request an appointment online. The evaluation includes full periodontal charting, radiographs, and pocket depth measurements, and produces a written plan identifying which sites require surgery and what each stage costs.
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We Make Dentistry More Affordable
Mint Dental Loft proudly offers flexible payment options through CareCredit and LendingClub, making it easier to get the treatment you need with comfortable monthly payments that fit your budget.
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