Periodontics is a surgical specialty of dentistry that involves treatment of disease processes affecting the gums (gingiva) and tooth supporting (alveolar) bone—i.e. the tissues surrounding the teeth. Most often, the first course of treatment for periodontal conditions involves non-surgical procedures.
However, some periodontal conditions are most effectively treated with surgical techniques. Periodontal surgery procedures can be divided into two basic types: removal of diseased tissue (resective treatment) and building back gums and bone which have been lost to disease processes (regenerative treatment).
Minor surgery can reshape gum tissue to give it a more leveled appearance