Query:
How painful is periodontal surgery?
Answer:
Periodontal surgery is a form of dental treatment that is aimed at treating gum disease. The severity of the procedure and the degree of discomfort experienced by the patient may vary depending on the type of periodontal surgery performed. Generally speaking, periodontal surgeries are not overly painful, although some may experience mild to moderate discomfort.
There are various forms of periodontal surgery, and the type of procedure performed will determine the level of pain experienced. For example, minor periodontal surgery, such as the removal of plaque and calculus buildup, is usually not too painful. During the procedure, the patient may experience slight discomfort due to the scaling and root planing process, but this discomfort should be manageable and will be minimized with the use of anesthetic.
More extensive periodontal surgeries, such as periodontal flap surgery, may involve more significant levels of pain. This type of procedure requires the surgeon to lift the gums away from the teeth in order to remove plaque and calculus buildup, and this may cause mild to moderate pain for the patient. However, this should be kept to a minimum with the use of anesthetics.
In addition to the pain experienced during the procedure itself, the patient may also experience some discomfort after the surgery is complete. As the area heals, the patient may experience some soreness and/or swelling. This discomfort should be easily managed with the use of pain medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and should subside within a few days.
Overall, periodontal surgery is not overly painful, although the level of discomfort experienced will depend on the type of procedure performed. With the use of anesthetics and pain medications, the patient should be able to keep any pain or discomfort to a minimum.