Pocket Reduction

Your gingival (gum) tissues, when healthy, are non-inflamed and tightly adapted around your teeth. Periodontal disease destroys the connection between the teeth and the gingival tissues. This leads to the gingiva becoming loose and forming “pockets” around the teeth where bacteria and calculus collect and hide from your tooth brush and floss. As these pockets become deeper with time, it becomes progressively harder to remove the bacteria. This promotes the infection leading to more bone loss and ultimately tooth loss. Pocket reduction surgery is used to remove the bacteria and calculus which were otherwise inaccessible in the periodontal pockets. It is also used to reduce the pocket depth to normal, which will permit you and your hygienist to properly clean the tooth surface and keep the periodontal tissues healthy.