Gum Surgery

Bleeding gums that you keep ignoring, or a dentist who told you your gum disease is 'advanced' - these are the situations most people end up in before they seek proper periodontal care. The delay is understandable. Gum surgery sounds serious. But left untreated, advanced gum disease leads to bone loss, tooth mobility, and eventually tooth loss outcomes that are far more difficult and costly to manage.

At The 32 Dental Clinic in Vastrapur, Ahmedabad, Dr. VruttiShah (MDS) treats gum disease methodically, starting with the least invasive approach, and recommending surgery only when it is genuinely necessary. Her goal is always to preserve your natural teeth and the bone and tissue that support them.

Gum surgery, also called periodontal surgery,  is a group of procedures designed to treat gum disease that cannot be fully resolved through non-surgical cleaning alone. It allows Dr. Vrutti to access and clean deep below the gumline, repair damaged tissue, and in some cases, regenerate lost bone and gum tissue.

It is not one single procedure. The type of surgery recommended depends on the severity of your condition, how much bone loss has occurred, and what the gum tissue looks like around each affected tooth. Dr. Vrutti explains the specific procedure she is recommending and why before any treatment plan is finalised.

Gum disease is often silent in its early stages. By the time symptoms become obvious, the condition may already be moderate or advanced. Dr. Vrutti advises patients not to wait if they notice:

•        Gums that bleed during brushing or flossing

•        Gums that have pulled away from the teeth, making them look longer than usual

•        Persistent bad breath that does not improve with brushing

•        Loose or shifting teeth

•        Pain or discomfort when chewing

•        Pus between the teeth and gums

 Any one of these symptoms warrants a clinical assessment. Catching gum disease early often means it can be treated without surgery. Waiting usually means more complex intervention later.

1.     Scaling and Root Planing (Deep Cleaning). This is the first line of treatment for moderate gum disease and is often performed before any surgical decision is made. Dr. Vrutti uses specialised instruments to remove bacterial deposits from deep below the gumline and smooth the root surfaces so that gum tissue can reattach. In many cases, this alone is sufficient.

2.     Flap Surgery (Pocket Reduction Surgery). When pockets between the gum and tooth exceed a depth where cleaning instruments can effectively reach, Dr. Vrutti gently folds back the gum tissue, removes bacteria and damaged tissue from the root surfaces, and sutures the gum back into a tighter position. This reduces pocket depth and makes future maintenance cleaning more effective.

3.     Bone Grafting. Where gum disease has caused significant bone loss around a tooth, a bone graft can help regenerate the lost structure. Dr. Vrutti places grafting material in the defect site, which acts as a scaffold for new bone growth over time. This procedure is often combined with flap surgery.

4.     Gum Grafting (Soft Tissue Graft). For patients with receding gums, whether due to gum disease, aggressive brushing, or anatomical factors, a soft tissue graft covers exposed root surfaces. This reduces sensitivity, improves the appearance of the gumline, and protects the root from further exposure and decay.

5.     Crown Lengthening. Sometimes performed to expose more of the tooth structure before a crown is placed, or to correct a 'gummy smile.' Dr. Vrutti removes excess gum tissue to create a more proportionate gumline and provide adequate tooth structure for restorative work to anchor to.

1.     Assessment and Diagnosis. Dr. Vrutti performs a full periodontal charting, measuring pocket depths around every tooth, and reviews X-rays to assess bone levels. She maps out exactly where the disease is present and how severe it is before recommending any treatment.

2.     Treatment Planning and Discussion. Dr. Vrutti walks you through what she has found and what she recommends. She explains which teeth require which procedures, the expected timeline, cost, and what recovery involves. You have the full picture before you decide to proceed.

3.     Non-Surgical Phase (if applicable). For most patients, Dr. Vrutti begins with scaling and root planing and schedules a review 6 to 8 weeks later. This allows the gums to respond to deep cleaning before a surgical decision is made.

4.     Surgical Procedure. Performed under local anaesthesia, gum surgery at The 32 Dental Clinic is methodical and precise. Dr. Vrutti works systematically through the affected quadrants, ensuring all bacterial deposits are removed and the tissue is properly repositioned.

5.     Healing and Review. Most patients return to normal routines within a few days. Dr. Vrutti schedules a follow-up to check healing, remove sutures if needed, and confirm the gum tissue is recovering as expected.

6.     Long-Term Maintenance. After surgical treatment, gum disease requires ongoing management. Dr. Vrutti sets up a personalised recall schedule, typically every 3 to 4 months, with professional cleaning and monitoring to prevent recurrence.

Following Dr. Vrutti's post-operative instructions closely makes a significant difference to healing:

•        Take prescribed medications, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories as directed; do not stop early

•        Eat soft foods for the first few days; avoid anything hard, crunchy, or spicy near the surgical site

•        Rinse gently with warm salt water after the first 24 hours to keep the area clean

•        Avoid smoking   it significantly impairs gum healing and increases the risk of recurrence

•        Do not brush directly over sutures; Dr. Vrutti will advise when to resume normal brushing in that area

•        Attend all follow-up appointments. Early healing reviews are not optional