(715) 538-1800 [email protected] 36220 Tower Dr, Whitehall, WI 54773, USA
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Osseous surgery
in Whitehall

— advanced periodontal treatment to save teeth that need more than a deep cleaning
When advanced gum disease has created deep pockets and bone damage that scaling and root planing can’t fully resolve, osseous surgery gives us direct access to reshape bone, eliminate the deepest infection, and create an environment where your gums can heal and maintain health long-term.

In-office periodontal surgery — no off-site specialist referral needed

Whitening Menu

When Other Treatments Aren't Enough

“Scaling and root planing is the first-line treatment for periodontitis — and for many patients, it’s sufficient. But when pockets remain deep (typically 6mm or greater) after healing, bone defects are significant, or disease continues to progress, surgery is necessary to achieve what instruments working blind through the gum line simply cannot.”
Direct access

Gum tissue is gently reflected to give direct visibility and access to root surfaces and bone — far more thorough cleaning than instruments working from above the gum line can offer.

Bone reshaping

Irregular bone topography creates pockets where destructive bacteria can easily recolonize. Osseous surgery smooths and reshapes bone to eliminate these harboring spaces and create a maintainable architecture.

Pocket elimination

Deep pockets cannot be properly cleaned or maintained at home — they are simply too deep for a toothbrush or dental floss to clear. Surgery reduces pocket depths to a healthy range that patients and hygienists can easily manage long-term.

Tooth preservation

The core goal of osseous surgery is to save your natural teeth — not remove them. Addressing the damaged bone levels and optimizing the pocket environment gives compromised teeth their absolute best chance at long-term survival.

A precise surgical procedure — performed in-office, under local anesthesia

Osseous surgery is a specialized outpatient procedure performed entirely in-house for your convenience. After the area is thoroughly numbed using local anesthesia, a minor, precise incision is made along the gumline. This allows the soft tissue to be gently rolled back, giving our clinical team a direct line of sight to the infected root structures and underlying bone defects.

The roots are thoroughly cleared of embedded calculus under direct vision, and irregular bone topography is smoothed down as needed to reduce pocket heights. The gum tissue is then securely sutured back into place. Performed meticulously by quadrant, the procedure typically involves mild temporary swelling, and your sutures are removed at a brief follow-up visit 1 to 2 weeks later.

Surgical Facts Overview

Surgical Protocol: Performed comfortably by individual quadrant

Anesthesia Focus: Local anesthetic blocks (IV / oral conscious sedation available)
Procedure Duration: 1–2 hours total per quadrant block
Suture Management: Removed smoothly at your 1–2 week follow-up check
Expected Recovery: 3–7 days of nominal soreness and mild swelling
Post-Op Activity: Light activity resumes within 24–48 hours
Insurance Standard: Typically covered at 50%–80% as major periodontal surgery
Clinical Workflow
The Laser Treatment Process

01

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia administered. IV or oral conscious sedation options are readily available for anxious patients or extensive cases. You will feel no pain during care.


02

Tissue reflection

A small, highly precise incision is mapped along the gum line. The tissue is gently reflected back to provide full access to underlying root structures and damaged bone fields.


03

Cleaning & bone work

Root surfaces are meticulously cleaned under direct vision. The underlying bone is smoothed and reshaped to eliminate pockets and topographical defects.


04

Closure & recovery

Gum tissues are sutured back precisely into place. Detailed post-operative instructions are provided, and follow-up slots are arranged for suture removal.


Expert periodontal surgery — in-office, no referral, same trusted team

In-office surgical care

We perform complex osseous surgeries entirely in-house — avoiding the need to refer you to an unfamiliar regional periodontist. The exact same clinical team that has managed your case from day one performs your surgery.

Advanced sedation available

If oral surgery makes you feel anxious, we provide comfortable oral conscious or IV deep conscious sedation options. This allows you to remain deeply relaxed and stress-free throughout the procedure.

Our goal: save your teeth

We recommend osseous surgery only when we believe it provides the single best chance of retaining your natural teeth long-term. Extraction is never our first recommendation.

Real Patient Feedback

Google reviews

Trusted by local families

4.6 ★★★★★ Google
Brandi Anderson
Brandi Anderson8 years ago
★★★★★

The staff is incredible. Very clean and up to date facility! Great asset to Whitehall!

Don Merlin
Don Merlin6 years ago
★★★★★

I needed an emergency tooth extraction and Dr. Mathews was able to get me in within a couple of hours. The office…

Miss Chasity
Miss Chasity6 years ago
★★★★★

Dr. Mattews and his staff always give me the best treatment at his office! They got me in for my routine cleaning…

Bonnie Kindschy
Bonnie Kindschy7 years ago
★★★★★

excellent. Helped in a pinch.

Jim Maaske
Jim Maaske9 years ago
★★★★★

Always very helpful and informative. They take Ashley's insurance, and they definitely do good work.

Laura Englesby
Laura Englesby6 years ago
★★★★★

My daughter and I have been coming to Matthews Dental for over 15 years. The service as well as their sincerity has…

Erika Layland
Erika Layland9 years ago
★★★★★

Matthews Family Dental is great! My kids have gotten BRACES from Dr. Matthews and their smiles are looking great!

MJ Vang
MJ Vang10 years ago
★★★★★

My husband, our daughter, and I have always came here when we were still residing in Whitehall, WI. Dr. Matthews have always…

Kimberly Carver
Kimberly Carver6 years ago
★★★★★

My family and I, have been seeing, Dr Matthew's and his AMAZING staff for the last 15 years PLUS… I have seen…

Steve
Steve6 years ago
★★★★★

Great professional service and really nice people! I would recommend it to my friends.

curtis murdock
curtis murdock6 years ago
★★★★★

I'm from out of town. I had a dental issue that needed to be taken care of ASAP. I called Dr. Matthews…

Brian Matthews
Brian Matthews8 years ago
★★★★★

Great team and always a great experience!

Frequently Asked Laser Questions
The surgery is performed entirely under local anesthesia, meaning you will experience zero pain during the procedure. Post-operative soreness and localized swelling for 3 to 7 days is completely normal and effectively managed with standard prescribed medication. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the recovery turns out to be.
 
Most individuals resume regular, light daily activities within 24 to 48 hours. Soreness and local tissue swelling typically peak at days 2–3 and resolve fully by days 5–7. Sutures are removed smoothly at a follow-up check 1–2 weeks after surgery, and soft-food dietary restrictions apply for about a week.
 

No. Osseous surgery is strictly performed by quadrant, meaning we only treat the specific localized fields where periodontal pockets remain dangerously deep following conservative scaling and root planing treatments. Most patients only require surgery in one or two quadrants, not across the entire mouth.

Yes, nearly all dental PPO benefits cover osseous surgery as a major surgical periodontal service, typically funding 50% to 80% of the procedural cost after your deductible is met. Our office manages all pre-authorizations, insurance billing, and supporting diagnostic data documentation on your behalf.

Transitioning to specialized supportive periodontal maintenance appointments every 3 to 4 months is an absolute requirement after surgery. These routine visits are what maintain the surgical outcome, keep pocket environments healthy, and prevent bacterial re-infection loops from re-emerging.

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Advanced gum disease is serious — but your teeth are worth fighting for. Schedule your periodontal surgery consultation at Whitehall Dental Center.

Protect your smile foundation and stop progressive bone loss. Connect with our dedicated local team today.