Pocket Reduction Procedure

Your bone and gum tissue should fit snugly around your teeth. When you have periodontal disease, this supporting tissue and bone is destroyed, forming "pockets" around the teeth where bacteria can collect and grow. Over time, these pockets become deeper, providing a larger space for bacteria to thrive causing further loss of support for the teeth.

As bacteria accumulate and advance under the gum tissue in these deeper pockets, the gum health worsens and additional bone and tissue loss follow. Eventually, if too much bone is lost, the teeth can get loose and may need to be removed.

A pocket reduction procedure can be performed to remove tartar and bacterial deposits on your tooth root surfaces in deeper pockets or to reduce the periodontal pocket and make it easier for you, your dental hygienist, and your dentist and periodontist to keep the area clean. This procedure involves lifting back the gums and removing the bacteria and tartar deposits on your teeth by smoothening the rough areas on the root surfaces of the teeth. The gums are then placed back so that the tissue fits snugly around the tooth again.

This treatment along with good home care and periodontal maintenance every 3 months is a very effective way to bring your gums and teeth back to a state of health.