CONCLUSIONS

The majority of periodontal surgeries can be carried out solely with the thorough
application of local anesthesia, but clinicians have the obligation to ensure a patient-centered
approach that includes oral, intravenous, and inhalational sedation in their spectrum of
available services to be used as needed.

The efficient, precise, and minimally traumatic management of tissues is the way to
obtain the best clinical outcomes. All patients need oral analgesic support, and they should be
given the necessery pain-relieving medications so that an effective level of analgesic is present
during the immediate postsurgical period and thereafter as needed. The use of longer-acting
local anesthesia agents (eg, bupivacaine) and protective periodontal dressings also helps to
reduce postsurgical pain.

During the immediate postsurgical weeks, plaque control and healing are enhanced by
the use of antimicrobial mouthrinses such as chlorhexidine. Postsurgical root sensitivity is well
controlled by ensuring that plaque control is optimal, and desensitizing agents will be needed
only occasionally.