Gum Surgery Louisville, Kentucky

Treating gum disease often begins with non-surgical approaches, but that is not always enough to correct damage and prevent the further spread of infection. Sometimes, surgical care is necessary to fight the infection and help your teeth and gums become healthy again. Gum surgery can stop the infection from spreading, help your teeth feel more stable and stronger, and improve the appearance of your smile. Derby City Dental Specialists offers gum surgery for anyone visiting our Louisville practice.

With the careful, comfortable surgical care provided by our periodontist, you may be able to resolve your gum disease concerns and start your journey to better oral health in just one visit.

Dr. Clagett’s Approach to Gum Surgery

The thought of having gum surgery may leave you feeling anxious or scared, but Dr. Ryan Clagett makes certain all of your questions are answered, and you know what to expect to help ease your fears. Before recommending surgery, he will discuss any symptoms you are experiencing as well as what he sees upon examining your teeth and gums in order to decide how to proceed with treatment. If left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth or bone loss, so Dr. Clagett works with you to improve your gum health and enhance your smile in a comfortable, relaxing environment.

Come See Ryan

Your safety and comfort are a top priority at Derby City Dental Specialists. Dr. Ryan Clagett is board certified in gum surgery and stays abreast of the latest techniques and advances in the field in an effort to provide you with high-quality care. He explains procedures in terms that are easy to understand and never makes you feel embarrassed about having gum disease or pressured into deciding to pursue gum surgery without having all of the facts. Dr. Clagett works with you to create an appropriate treatment plan for your needs and goals.

Gum Disease and Gum Surgery

If you’ve been experiencing symptoms of gum disease, we encourage you to schedule a visit with our practice in Louisville.

Typically, patients who are diagnosed with gum disease will begin with a non-surgical gum disease treatment called scaling and root planing. With scaling and root planing, Dr. Clagett uses specialized techniques to clear away the disease-causing bacteria and to smooth out the surfaces of the tooth roots. In many cases, this approach can resolve the condition completely.

If you have scaling and root planing, Dr. Clagett will have you visit the practice in the months that follow so that he can assess your progress. Unfortunately, it is possible that your gums will not respond to scaling and root planing, and you may continue to experience symptoms related to the infection. In this case, he may recommend that you escalate treatment to gum surgery.

How We Approach Your Care

As a periodontist with advanced training and years in private practice in Louisville, Dr. Clagett offers patients a high degree of experience. However, what really sets his practice apart is the great environment for care that he and our team have created.

Guiding patients. We know that people often have anxiety about getting treatment, particularly if they need to have gum surgery. When you come in for a visit, we will take the time to talk with you about what you’re experiencing to learn what your goals are and to help you understand your options.

Serving as your partner. We’re not here to make people feel bad about having gum disease or to steamroll patients with our recommendations. Instead, we’re here to provide advice and effective care, and we’re going to do everything we can to give you a great experience that results in a better quality of life.

Healthcare hospitality. Should you require gum surgery, we will provide you with a professional and supportive experience. Safety and comfort are our priorities. During your procedure, we will offer a menu of items to help you relax and to pass the time, including massage chairs, blankets, and headphones.

What to Expect With Gum Surgery

In some cases, treatment with gum surgery can take place in a single visit to Louisville. Other patients will return to our practice for multiple appointments so that we can eliminate the gum disease completely.

During your procedure, Dr. Ryan Clagett will numb your teeth to desensitize the area, usually without requiring sedation. But for patients who are nervous about having surgery or don’t want to remember any of it, he offers IV sedation, a safe, easy way to let you get the dental work you need while you sleep. Dr. Clagett has received extensive training on IV sedation, and our practice has the most current technology to ensure your health. We also partner with a Certified Nurse Anesthetist to help maintain your comfort in more complex cases.

Dr. Clagett uses advanced techniques, technology, and skills that make gum surgery a very manageable and comfortable experience. He may perform your procedure in one of several ways, but surgeries generally fall into two categories: LANAP and traditional gum surgery.

LANAP (Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure)

With laser gum surgery, Dr. Clagett will use a specialized laser device to get rid of the bacteria that has developed beneath your gums, and that has attached to the surfaces of your teeth. Since the laser energy is tuned to target the bacteria and diseased tissue, treatment will only affect these features.

After removing the bacteria with laser gum surgery, Dr. Clagett will apply ultrasonic instruments to clean the teeth. He will also use techniques that will encourage tooth-supporting bone to regenerate.

Time and proper care should allow your gums to heal completely after the procedure. Dr. Clagett and our staff will provide you with post-treatment instructions, such as chewing only soft foods in the area of the gum surgery for a few weeks. Generally, we will advise our patients to come in for teeth cleaning every three months and to schedule a re-check with our office for one year later so that we can track their progress.

Traditional Gum Surgery

LANAP is a highly effective approach to gum surgery, so most patients will not require additional treatment to resolve their symptoms. However, in a few cases, Dr. Clagett may recommend traditional gum surgery over LANAP. He will usually suggest this option if the disease is in an isolated area and there aren’t other gum-related concerns that require treatment.

During the procedure, Dr. Clagett will:

• Numb the area to ensure your comfort.
• Surgically elevate the gums.
• Clear away the infection.
• Strengthen the teeth with replacement bone and growth factors.

Post-care instructions for traditional gum surgery are similar to LANAP: sticking to soft foods for a few weeks, returning for cleanings every three months, and planning a one-year recheck with our practice.

What You Can Expect Following Gum Surgery

The patients we treat in Louisville usually tell us that their teeth and bite feel stronger than before the procedure. They don’t have the discomfort and unwanted symptoms that they experienced when they were suffering from gum disease, and since they may have had these symptoms for months or even years, most of our patients have a great sense of relief after their treatment.

Just as importantly, clearing away the infection tends to give patients a feeling of confidence that they haven’t enjoyed for a long time. If you have been refusing to share your smile, hiding your teeth when you laugh, or avoiding certain foods because of physical discomfort, treatment with Dr. Clagett can provide a significant improvement in your daily life.

Find out your options with gum surgery. To schedule an appointment with our local Louisville office, contact Derby City Dental Specialists online or by phone at (502) 576-5345.