Dental Procedure, Pocket Depth Reduction

Dental Procedure, Pocket Depth Reduction
By Laura Minsk, DMD
1stgumdisease.com

As the bacteria that cause periodontal disease (see article "Periodontics 101") release toxic substances, they trigger the breakdown of gum and bone. The gum then separates from the teeth, forming gaps that are called periodontal pockets. Bacteria settle in these pockets and because they cannot be removed by the patient's daily oral hygiene, they continue to accumulate and reproduce. Without proper treatment, the bacteria will continue to populate these pockets, creating further gum and bone destruction.

The first step in the treatment of periodontal disease involves the removal of the bacteria that inhabit the periodontal pockets in the form of plaque and tartar. The removal of the pocket irritants, scaling and root planing (see article "Scaling and Root Planing"), is combined with oral hygiene instructions that are aimed at improving the patient's ability to control plaque and avoid bacteria from reinfecting the periodontal pockets. Several weeks after completion of scaling and root planing, a periodontal re-evaluation should be completed to assess the healing response. If the periodontal pockets do not reduce to below 4 mm and the gums are still unhealthy, surgical treatment may be indicated.

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