Advanced Gum & Bone Care
Osseous Surgery in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Gentle Gum Surgery To Protect Your Smile
When gum disease has damaged the bone around your teeth, osseous surgery can help stop the infection and save your smile. At Wauwatosa Dental Arts, we carefully reshape infected bone and clean deep under the gums so your teeth have a healthier, more stable foundation. Our team in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin focuses on comfort, clear communication, and long-term results every step of the way.
Osseous Surgery
Osseous Surgery at Wauwatosa Dental Arts
Osseous surgery is a specialized treatment used at Wauwatosa Dental Arts to clean deep gum pockets, remove diseased tissue, and reshape the bone that supports your teeth. For many patients in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, this procedure is an important step in stopping advanced gum disease, reducing infection, and protecting teeth from loosening or loss.
What Is Osseous Surgery?
Osseous surgery is performed when periodontal pockets around the teeth become too deep to clean with routine care or standard deep cleanings. During the procedure, the gums are gently lifted so we can thoroughly remove plaque, tartar, and infected tissue from the roots and surrounding bone. The bone is then smoothed and reshaped so the gums can heal in a healthier, easier-to-clean position.
Benefits of Treating Advanced Gum Disease
Addressing gum disease early and effectively can make a big difference in your oral and overall health. Osseous surgery is designed to control infection and preserve as much of your natural smile as possible.
- Stops Active Infection Deep cleaning and removal of diseased tissue help reduce bacteria and inflammation.
- Protects Teeth From Loosening Reshaping damaged bone and tightening the gums can improve stability around your teeth.
- Makes Home Care Easier Shallower gum pockets are easier to brush and floss, helping you maintain results over time.
- Supports Overall Health Managing gum disease can lower the bacterial burden that may affect your body beyond your mouth.
How the Osseous Surgery Process Works
Before recommending osseous surgery, our doctors will carefully examine your gums, review your X-rays, and discuss all of your options. If surgery is the right choice, we will explain each step in advance so you know what to expect.
- Comprehensive periodontal evaluation and digital X-rays to measure pocket depths and bone levels.
- Local anesthetic to keep the area completely numb and comfortable throughout the visit.
- Thorough cleaning of tooth roots and removal of inflamed or infected tissue beneath the gums.
- Precise reshaping of rough or irregular bone to create a smoother, healthier foundation.
- Sutures placed to help the gums heal snugly around your teeth and reduce pocket depths.
Healing, Aftercare, and Long-Term Maintenance
Most patients experience mild soreness and swelling for a few days after osseous surgery, which is usually managed with over-the-counter medication, cold compresses, and a soft diet. We will see you for follow-up visits to monitor healing, remove sutures if needed, and review your home care routine. Continued periodontal maintenance cleanings, usually every three to four months, are essential to keep your gums healthy and protect your investment in treatment. If you have questions about costs, insurance coverage, or payment arrangements, our team will be happy to review options with you before treatment begins.
If you have been told you have advanced gum disease or are worried about loose or sensitive teeth, we are here to help. Call Wauwatosa Dental Arts at (414) 462-3160 to schedule a consultation and learn whether osseous surgery in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin is right for you.
The short answer
Osseous surgery is a periodontal procedure for advanced gum disease that cleans deep gum pockets, removes infected tissue and reshapes the bone that supports your teeth, so the gums can heal in a healthier position. With the area numbed, the gums are gently lifted so plaque, tartar and infected tissue can be removed from the roots, the bone is smoothed and reshaped, and sutures help the gums heal snugly around the teeth. It is used when pockets are too deep to manage with regular cleanings or scaling and root planing alone, to control infection and protect teeth from loosening or loss.
Osseous Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions
- What Is Osseous Surgery?
- Osseous surgery is a procedure that treats advanced gum disease by cleaning deep pockets around the teeth, removing infected tissue and reshaping the bone that supports your teeth. The gums are gently lifted so the roots and surrounding bone can be cleaned thoroughly. This helps your gums heal in a healthier position and makes it easier to keep the area clean.
- Why Would My Dentist Recommend Osseous Surgery?
- Osseous surgery is recommended when gum pockets are too deep to manage with regular cleanings or scaling and root planing alone. Without treatment, these deep pockets can trap bacteria, damage bone and eventually lead to loose or lost teeth. Before recommending it, your dentist examines your gums, reviews digital X-rays of pocket depths and bone levels, and discusses all of your options.
- Is Osseous Surgery Painful?
- You should not feel pain during osseous surgery, because the area is thoroughly numbed with local anesthetic. Some soreness or swelling afterward is normal for a few days. Most patients find it manageable with over-the-counter pain relief, cold compresses, a soft diet and the home-care instructions provided.
- What Is Recovery Like After Osseous Surgery?
- Most patients can return to normal daily activities within a day or two after osseous surgery, though you may be asked to avoid strenuous exercise for a short time. You will likely follow a soft diet, use special rinses and brush gently near the treated area until it has healed. Follow-up visits monitor healing, remove sutures if needed and review your home care routine.
- Are There Alternatives to Osseous Surgery?
- Yes, in earlier stages of gum disease, scaling and root planing (a deep cleaning) may be enough to control infection. When pockets remain very deep, however, osseous surgery is often the most predictable way to reduce pocket depth and protect your teeth. Your dentist will review all appropriate options with you before treatment.
- Will My Insurance Cover Osseous Surgery?
- Many dental insurance plans provide benefits for periodontal treatment, including osseous surgery, but coverage varies. Our team will help you review your plan and estimate your out-of-pocket costs. Payment arrangements are discussed before treatment begins, so you know what to expect.
- How Long Do the Results Last?
- The results of osseous surgery can be long-lasting when paired with excellent home care and regular periodontal maintenance visits. These maintenance cleanings are usually scheduled every three to four months. Brushing, flossing and professional cleanings help prevent new buildup and keep gum pockets from becoming deep again.
- What If I Feel Nervous About Gum Surgery?
- Feeling nervous about gum surgery is completely normal. The team takes time to answer your questions, explain each step in simple terms and go at a pace that feels comfortable for you. If you are especially nervous, ask about extra comfort options.
- How Do I Get Started?
- To get started, schedule a periodontal evaluation by calling (414) 462-3160. It is the right step if you have been told you have gum disease, or if you are concerned about bleeding or tender gums or loose or sensitive teeth. The evaluation shows whether osseous surgery could help save and strengthen your smile.
Schedule Appointment
Call us at (414) 462-3160 or visit us at 11600 W North Ave, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.
