How Much Does Osseous Surgery Cost?
As with most dental services, preventative treatments are less costly than restorative, which is why it is important to visit your dentist at least twice a year to make sure that everything is healthy and to catch any issues before they get worse. In the event that you do develop advanced periodontitis and your doctor does not believe that a deep cleaning will provide the desired results, they may recommend you see a periodontitis for osseous surgery.
Osseous Surgery Procedure
Osseous surgery is a procedure used to remove infected bone and prevent bone and tooth loss. Your doctor will apply a topical numbing agent to minimize the feeling of the injection used to administer a local anesthetic to the area being treated. A small incision is made at the gum line which allows the doctor to flap the tissue away from the bone in order to access the infected area.
Then they are able to shave or trim away the affected tissues and will smooth and reshape the area before replacing the gum tissue. The gun is then sutured into place so that it heals properly. If you have experienced the loss, the doctor may apply a bone graft before closing the area.
When is osseous surgery necessary?
Sometimes, patients who are suffering from periodontal issues can have a scaling and root planing, or deep cleaning, to remove bacteria infection from the gum pockets. When a scaling and root planing is insufficient or does not work, the patient may require osseous surgery. Bone loss is a side effect of periodontitis and can lead to tooth loss and other oral issues. Osseous surgery is a last resort to restore bone and encourage new, healthy bone regeneration.
How much does osseous surgery cost?
As with any dental treatment, the cost to the patient will vary from office to office and patients in a large city can expect to pay more than those in rural areas. Osseous surgery can range from $500 to $10,000, depending on the extent of treatment.
If you have dental insurance, some of the cost may be covered if it is deemed medically necessary.
Additionally, your doctor may accept financing through a third-party such as CareCredit or lending club or may offer in-house financing. You may also be able to use an HSA or FSA. And sometimes, having treatment provided by a dental school is significantly less costly since it will be performed by a student. A licensed periodontist will oversee the entire process so, you are still in safe hands!
As mentioned at the beginning, prevention is less costly than treatment. It is important to see your dentist at least twice a year for a regular cleaning and exam to ensure that your mouth remains healthy and give you a better chance of catching issues before they progress. It is equally important to proceed with any treatment recommended by your dentist so that you do not have more severe issues down the road.
If you have a history of periodontal issues or know that you are genetically predisposed to such, speak with your dentist about a more frequent cleaning schedule to keep everything healthy.